A Done Deal

The Patriot Act, as revised by Congress, is set to be signed into law by President Bush. There were some modifications, but the biggest change is that many of the provisions that previously had expiration dates are now made permanent.

A day after passing a related bill to better protect civil liberties in this war, the Senate approved the renewal measure on a 89-10 vote. It next goes to Bush to sign into law. The House of Representatives passed it in December.

First enacted after the September 11 attacks, the Patriot Act expanded the power of the U.S. government to obtain private records, conduct wiretaps and searches and share information.

With 16 provisions of the act set to expire next week, the bill would make 14 of them permanent and extend two others by four years.

After all the bluster by the Democrats, this group of laws is going to be readopted as amended. Either the concerns weren't that great, or the Democrats caved.

That doesn't speak well for them on either ground. Trumping up civil liberties arguments and then voting overwhelmingly to pass the bill. Not a good sign for showing seriousness on the key issues.

UPDATE:
Here's the roll call vote. 89-10.

The nays:
Leahy (D-VT), Nay
Levin (D-MI), Nay
Akaka (D-HI), Nay
Bingaman (D-NM), Nay
Byrd (D-WV), Nay
Feingold (D-WI), Nay
Murray (D-WA), Nay
Harkin (D-IA), Nay
Wyden (D-OR), Nay
Jeffords (I-VT), Nay

Inouye (D-HI), did not vote. The rest of the Senate voted Yes. Text of the Bill can be found here: HR 3199 (click through to the last version).