US Senate votes to extend controversial ‘Patriot Act’ measures
The US Senate has overwhelmingly voted to extend controversial surveillance powers granted by the Patriot Act law, put in place after the 9/11 attacks.
By a vote of 86-12, the Senate approved a 90-day extension of wiretaps, access to business records and surveillance of terror suspects, a move that comes a one day after the House of Representatives voted to extend the provisions until 8 December.
The provisions covered under the bill give the US government the authority for "roving surveillance" of suspects who might be able to thwart investigative methods that ordinarily require a judge's warrant.
They also give federal investigators access to business records with a warrant from a secret national security court and grant federal law enforcement greater power to watch foreign so-called "lone wolf" terror suspects.
The Patriot Act was passed through Congress by President George W Bush shortly following the terror attacks of 11 September, 2001.
Bush and other supporters argued that the legal safeguards traditionally granted to criminal suspects left the US ill-protected against further attacks.
The White House backed the bill, but would have favoured a longer extension. The House and Senate must now reach a compromise on extending the surveillance powers, which are set to expire on 28 February.
The brief extension gives those in Congress a chance to review the measures that some claim are unconstitutional infringements on personal liberties.
