Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., plans to force the Patriot Act to expire Sunday.
Echoing previous statements, the Kentucky Republican said Saturday he will not allow Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to expedite debate on the key provision that allows for the NSA’s warrantless bulk collection of Americans’ phone data when the Senate returns to Washington, D.C. Sunday for debate.
Senate rules will allow Paul to force the expiration of the Patriot Act. McConnell, R-Ky., initially supported the extension of the Patriot Act but now looks likely to move the USA Freedom Act, a bill that changes certain provisions of the NSA’s meta-data collection program but which garners no support from Paul, who wants to dismantle it completely.
The USA Freedom Act passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support and President Obama has urged its passage, calling the bill “not controversial.”
“The callous use of general warrants and the disregard for the Bill of Rights must end,” said Paul in a statement to Politico Saturday. “Last week, seeing proponents of this illegal spying rushing toward a deadline to wholesale renew this unconstitutional power, I filibustered the bill. I spoke for over 10 hours to call attention to the vast expansion of the spy state and the corresponding erosion of our liberties.”
He continued, “Then, last week, I further blocked the extension of these powers and the Senate adjourned for recess rather than stay and debate them. Tomorrow, we will come back with just hours left before the NSA illegal spying powers expire. Let me be clear: I acknowledge the need for a robust intelligence agency and for a vigilant national security.”
“But we do not need to give up who we are to defeat them. In fact, we must not. There has to be another way. We must find it together. So tomorrow, I will force the expiration of the NSA illegal spy program,” Paul concluded.
The Patriot Act is set to expire June 1 unless the Senate acts on Sunday.
