US Senate votes to extend anti-terrorism bill
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-22 11:41

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday ended a high-stakes impasse and voted to extend for six months key provisions of the anti-terrorism USA Patriot Act set to expire in 10 days.

The temporary extension, approved without dissent, would provide time to try to resolve differences over safeguards for civil liberties before making permanent most of the provisions the Bush administration deems vital in its war on terrorism.

Lawmakers who helped negotiate the deal just hours earlier voiced confidence that the White House and House of Representatives would give its needed approval despite earlier objections to such a short-term remedy.

"This is a common-sense solution that gives the Senate more time to craft a consensus bill that will promote our security while preserving our freedom," said Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat.

"Agreements are always the product of time and place," said Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho, one of a handful of Republicans who had earlier joined most Democrats in opposing permanent extension with a procedural roadblock.

Initially passed after the September 11, 2001, attacks, the Patriot Act expanded the authority of the federal government to conduct secret searches, obtain private records, intercept telephone calls and take other action in the effort to track down suspected terrorists.

Earlier on Wednesday, 52 of the 100 senators, including eight Republicans, signed a letter in support of a Democratic-led bid to extend provisions, set to expire on December 31, for an extension of just three months to provide time to settle differences.

Senate Republican leaders, who had opposed any such short-term deal, agreed to the six-month extension following increased efforts to find common ground.