Renewal of Patriot Act assured

The Patriot Act cleared a major hurdle that ensures it will be renewed soon. The Senate voted 96-3 to move toward final passage of new civil liberties protections to the Patriot Act, which the White House negotiated with a handful of Republicans.

Some Democrats remain convinced that the act, the post-Sept. 11 anti-terrorism law, gives the federal government too much power to intrude into the lives of innocent Americans. It's set to expire next month unless it's renewed.

But yesterday's vote clears the way for final congressional approval, which seems assured once Congress returns after next week's Presidents Day recess.

The bill's new provisions:
• Libraries that function as traditional book lenders and offer Internet access wouldn't be subject to so-called "national security letters," which are essentially subpoenas for business records that the FBI can issue in terrorism investigations without warrants.

• It allows appeals of gag orders placed on recipients of national security letters. The gag orders prevent business owners from revealing that their records are being examined. Appeals could be filed one year after receiving the letters.

• It removes a requirement that a recipient of a national security letter must provide the FBI with the name of any lawyer consulted about the search.

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