Patriot Act is allowed to expire

Senate fails to pass legislation in time to extend data collection powers

The legal authority for US spy agencies' collection of US citizens' phone records and other data expired on Sunday after the US Senate failed to pass legislation extending the powers.

After a debate pitting US citizens' distrust of intrusive government against fears of terrorist attacks, the Senate voted to advance reform legislation that would replace the bulk phone-records program, the existence of which was revealed two years ago by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden.