U.S. Patriot Act Set To Expire This Sunday

Reuters: Obama says 'handful of senators' blocking surveillance reforms

U.S. President Barack Obama warned on Friday that surveillance powers used to prevent attacks on Americans could lapse at midnight on Sunday unless "a handful of senators" stop standing in the way of reform legislation.

Obama said he had told Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other senators that he expects them to act swiftly on a bill passed by the House of Representatives that would renew certain powers and reform the bulk collection of telephone data.

WNU Editor: This is a bitter pill for many Senators .... primarily Democrats .... to swallow. They have never liked many of the provisions of the Patriot Act .... but we are now seeing them vote for their extension.

More News On The U.S. Senate Blocking An Extension In The Patriot Act

A look at the expiring surveillance provisions -- AP
Administration warns terror-fighting tools set to expire Sunday, as Senate battles over Patriot Act -- FOX News
Obama Warns of Dangers of Inaction on Patriot Act -- Time
Murky Future for NSA Data Sweep as 'Sunset' Looms -- AFP
Obama: 'Senators blocking US surveillance act amendments' -- Deutsche Welle
Disagreement over impact if US surveillance laws do expire -- AP
Rand Paul declares surveillance 'war' and hints at filibuster for NSA reform -- The Guardian
Rollback of U.S. spy powers would mark post-9/11 watershed -- Reuters
Mass surveillance under the microscope -- Al Jazeera
The Patriot Act May Be Dead Forever -- Shane Harris, Daily Beast