The US Patriot Act

_{Senate debates Patriot Act as expiration of surveillance provisions looms LIVE UPDATES}

_{The US Senate is holding a rare Sunday session to try and prevent the expiration of several controversial provisions of the Patriot Act, which allows wide-scale spying on Americans. The Obama administration claims it is crucial to US national security.}

Reuters / Javier Galeano

Sunday, May 31

23:57 GMT:

Wyden has ceded the floor to Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico), who began by slamming Edward Snowden for "stealing documents," but said that after his revelations, lawmakers have been looking for "more Constitutional" ways to protect US security.

23:53 GMT:

The NSA's bulk collection program will end at 8 pm Eastern time (midnight GMT), to ensure the government is in compliance with the law. Earlier this week, White House officials told reporters that if the Senate could pass the USA Freedom Act by 8 pm, the program would continue without interruption. This is not going to happen.

23:51 GMT:

Senator Wyden says that if the government isn't listening to the phone calls, it collects enough private information under the current programs that it does not need to listen. He says he thinks this represents "a threat to our liberty."

23:43 GMT:

"Be very careful about the people who tell you they'll never violate your freedoms if you just trust them," Paul said during his speech.

He has now yielded the floor to Ron Wyden (D-OR), who is praising Paul for being "reasonable and accommodating."

Wyden is further saying that the USA Freedom Act does not make Americans safer, and is chipping away at their liberties.

23:41 GMT:

Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) told reporters that Edward Snowden's revelations absolutely played a role in the debate over renewing the Patriot Act's surveillance provisions.

“I think it played the same role for me as it did for most of the American people, who were surprised and stunned that the government had this sort of access to this kind of data,” Heller said.

If #Section215 of the #PatriotAct expires tonight, even temporarily - it is thanks to Edward Snowden

— ACLU National (@ACLU) May 31, 2015

23:34 GMT:

Paul says some of the people in Washington are almost hoping for an attack on the US, so they could blame him for opposing the Patriot Act spying.

"Some people are secretly hoping for an attack, so they could blame it on me." They will point fingers and say "Oh yes, it's all your fault," he says, but he believes it is possible to fight terrorism and obey the Constitution.

23:31 GMT:

Rand Paul is repeating some of the most salient points from his May 20 filibuster.

Rand Paul has one hour to speak (his time'll be up shortly after 8). Follow live:http://t.co/4rpSLoFgGy #PatriotAct pic.twitter.com/Y5HyqIwlJM

— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) May 31, 2015

23:25 GMT:

Paul is saying he will submit amendments demanding that the standard for surveillance is strengthened to "probable cause" - in line with the Constitution - rather than the current catch-all "relevance."

Someone better block John McCain's ears, @RandPaul is talking about that pesky Constitution! #PatriotAct

— Andrew Surabian (@Surabees) May 31, 2015

He is also arguing that the surveillance ought to be targeting foreigners, not Americans, and bringing up allegations that the vast majority - 99 percent - of the data collected is being used in criminal investigations of US citizens instead.

23:17 GMT:

"They use fear to take away your freedom" - Rand Paul.

"You have to be suspicious of a government that often lies."

He is advocating personal warrants, rather than bulk collection. Objects to the wording of the USA Freedom Act that would be interpreted in such a fashion that the government could obtain even more data than before.

23:14 GMT:

The chairman has had to call for order twice already, asking the Senators to take their conversations elsewhere as Rand Paul is speaking. "The Senator from Kentucky deserves to be heard."

_{Rand Paul Filibuster May Block Patriot Act Renewal}

_{Unclear if Leadership Has Votes for Watered-Down Reform Bill}

_{The USA Freedom Act, an extremely watered down reform bill which some argue actually expands NSA surveillance capabilities, is coming up for a hugely important and likely very close vote Sunday, with the future of the Patriot Act’s Section 215, which the bill renews, in the balance.}

Anti-War,

30 May, 2015

Section 215 expires on Monday, and the USA Freedom Act requires 60 votes to pass. Last weekend, the Senate managed only 57 votes in favor of it, but some officials believe that they can come up with the three additional votes to ensure its passage without debate on amendments.

Sen. Rand Paul (R – KY) appears to be the main obstacle to this, vowing to filibuster in an effort to prevent the extension from going through on Sunday, saying he was determined to “force the expiration of the NSA illegal spy program.”

Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R – TX) had previously expressed confidence that Paul would give in, saying he was a “constructive guy.” This weekend he’s condemning him, however, along with others who are surprised that his efforts to forestall extension were more than just a one-off grandstanding effort going into the recess.

With a filibuster, Sen. Paul can likely make things extremely difficult for the Republican leadership, but even if they do manage to force a vote Sunday, there is no guarantee those three extra votes will be there. Sen. Mike Enzi (R – WY), absent during last weekend’s vote, is expected to vote yes, and Sen. Mark Kirk (R – IL) is said to be leaning toward changing his vote. Pro surveillance officials are hoping at least one more Republican can be convinced to switch sides on the matter, but so far there isn’t a commitment from anyone.

You can find your Senator’s contact information here, and below is a list of the 10 most important Senators to focus on, along with their contact information. Others should be contacted as well, of course, to emphasize how much we, the American public, oppose the surveillance state.

Paul, Rand – (R – KY)
167 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-4343

King, Angus S., Jr. – (I – ME)
133 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-5344

Enzi, Michael B. – (R – WY)
379A Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-3424

Kirk, Mark – (R – IL)
524 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-2854

Cassidy, Bill – (R – LA)
703 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-5824

Ayotte, Kelly – (R – NH)
144 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-3324

Moran, Jerry – (R – KS)
521 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-6521

Crapo, Mike – (R – ID)
239 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-6142

Toomey, Patrick J. – (R – PA)
248 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-4254

Boozman, John – (R – AR)
141 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-4843