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U.S. GOVERNMENT 1: Patriot Act Extended

The Patriot Act, which among other things allows the government to secretly search businesses for records and information, was extended Thursday, December 8, in a vote by the House and Senate. The original Patriot Act expires at the end of December. The extension means the Patriot Act will continue to be in effect for the next four years. The announcement was made by Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter, and has already received criticism from senators.

Democratic senator Russ Feingold from Wisconsin was the only senator to oppose the original Patriot Act, and promises to use whatever means necessary, including a filibuster, to stop the act from being extended.

Currently, Feingold and Republican senators from Idaho, New Hampshire and Alaska, and Democratic senators from Illinois and Colorado, also oppose the report.

Under the extension, several parts of the Patriot Act would become permanent.

The original Patriot Act was passed after September 11, and it gives government agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation a wider range of jurisdiction to conduct surveillance.

Next week the Senate will convene to discuss the extension.

--Written by Joanne Tang

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