The U.S. House of Representatives voted 275-144 this evening to extend three extremely vital security provisions that were originally passed during the Bush administration years - two of which are from the Patriot Act. If the U.S. Senate concurs, which is likely, these provisions will be extended through December - almost two years shorter than what the Obama administration requested.
Republicans voted 210-27 in favor of the legislation, while Democrats voted 117-65 against. The GOP opposition was led by Congressman Ron Paul, who recently won the 2011 CPAC straw poll. Rand - his son and Kentucky's junior Senator - has pledged to oppose the legislation as well. It appears that neither Paul is really concerned with America's security.
Among the Democrats to support the legislation was Dan Boren, one of the last pro-security, pro-defense Democrats left in their entire caucus. Perhaps Boren is attempting to replace Ike Skelton, who before losing last year was the lonely face of the few pro-war Democrats remaining in Washington.
The Senate is expected to easily pass the legislation onto President Obama's desk, where he will readily sign it into law. The Democrats strongest opposition was defeated last November, and the only Republican opposition should come from freshmen Senators Mike Lee and Rand Paul, both of whom are Libertarian Republicans.
I am glad that this important legislation was passed. We need every tool available to not only kill terrorists abroad, but to stop Jihadists at home - and that's what the Patriot Act has done for almost ten years now. And personally speaking, I believe that all the Congressmen and Senators who oppose it must receive a pink slip in November 2012.
What say you?
Glad to see it pass. Shame on Paul and Lee for not voting for our security.
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