A tentative "deal" has been reached on the Patriot Act reauthorization. The compromise (Conference Report on H.R. 3199, the “USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2005”) does not contain even the modest reforms in Senate bill S. 1389. It differs from the pre-Thanksgiving version only in that its sunsets on sections 206, 215, and "lone wolf" have been reduced from 7 years to 4 years. The compromise is unacceptable.

Votes next week in the House and Senate are likely, assuming a majority of House and Senate negotiators sign the conference report. We will send updates when we receive them, and we will update our main web page (www.bordc.org) regularly.

Our best chance to defeat the conference report is in the Senate, where Senate Minority Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Sens. Larry Craig (R-ID), Russell Feingold (D-WI), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Ken Salazar (D-CO), and John Sununu (R-NH) have threatened a filibuster. In addition, Democratic Conferees may introduce continuing resolution(s), which would extend by three months the expiring PATRIOT Act provisions AND the debate on reforms.

For talking points, go to: http://www.bordc.org/newsletter/expandedpoints2.php

Contact your Senators and Representative today!