Editorial: Patriot Act stalled in 11th hour

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2005 | 8:04 a.m.

A bipartisan handful of senators has proposed extending the current USA Patriot Act for three months to allow more discussion of expanded counterterrorism measures and avoid being forced to accept a Republican compromise drafted last week.

Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the Judiciary Committee's senior Democrat, sponsored the bipartisan legislation with Republican Sens. John Sununu of New Hampshire, Larry Craig of Idaho and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. It would give lawmakers enough time to adequately review the Patriot Act's more contentious provisions without forcing Congress to vote before portions of the law expire Dec. 31.

In contrast, the Republicans' compromise would renew the current law and extend for four years controversial provisions, including one to compel businesses to turn over confidential information on clients and suppliers without those people's knowledge.

It also would ease restrictions on situations in which the FBI could demand information, such as library records, and would make it a felony to tell people they have been investigated.

The House and Senate are to debate and vote on the issue today. But opponents of the Republican-backed compromise have threatened a Senate filibuster to prevent any action from being taken.

Americans have a right to do personal banking, surf the Web and check out library books without fear of being investigated as suspected terrorists. We hope clearer heads will prevail and lawmakers will accept the three-month extension to seek better protection of our civil liberties.