The U.S. Senate approved a four-year extension of provisions in the USA Patriot Act allowing law enforcement to track suspected terrorists with roving wiretaps.
The legislation passed on a 72-23 vote. A previous extension, approved by Congress in February, was set to expire at midnight tonight. The measure goes to the House for final passage before being sent to President Barack Obama for his signature. The surveillance powers would be extended until June 1, 2015.
The measure “will safeguard us from future attacks,” Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said before the vote. “By extending this invaluable terror-fighting tool, we’re staying ahead” of terrorists who want to attack the U.S., he said.
The bill’s roving-wiretap section allows federal agents to obtain a single warrant to monitor telephone calls of suspects using a series of mobile phones.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-26/u-s-senate-approves-four-year-extension-of-patriot-act-wiretap-authority.html