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| NSA reform advances as Senate moves to vote on USA Freedom Act – live updates | NSA reform advances as Senate moves to vote on USA Freedom Act – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Rand Paul has left the building so we won’t be seeing any more fiery rhetoric from him tonight. | |
| Instead, Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden is on the floor. While Wyden is also a vocal NSA critic, it’s unlikely anyone has ever accused him of demagoguery. | |
| Ted Cruz is being careful to avoid any possible criticism of Rand Paul to reporters, insisting that his colleague is “a good man.” | |
| However, he offered his concerns about a possible lapse in these provisions to reporters about 20 minutes ago outside the Senate chamber. “I disagree with allowing key provisions of federal law to expire that enable federal law enforcement to target radical Islamic terrorists,” said Cruz. | |
| Rand Paul is throwing some shade on Republican colleagues on the Senate floor. | |
| “Some of them I think secretly want an attack on the United States so they can blame it on me,” Paul said. | |
| Republican Dean Heller of Nevada credited The Guardian’s reporting on Edward Snowden for the USA Freedom Act finally moving towards passage. | |
| He told reporters: “It played a role, no doubt it played a role. It was huge obviously, when it occurred.” He added “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.” | |
| In a stunning reversal from last week’s drama, the USA Freedom Act was passed by a vote of 77-17. The bill, which passed the House overwhelmingly several weeks ago will now move forward and is likely to receive a final vote on Tuesday. | In a stunning reversal from last week’s drama, the USA Freedom Act was passed by a vote of 77-17. The bill, which passed the House overwhelmingly several weeks ago will now move forward and is likely to receive a final vote on Tuesday. |
| The bill fell three votes short of the needed supermajority to advance last week but with the clock ticking on controversial provisions of the Patriot Act, supporters of NSA surveillance thought that the proposed reforms were better than letting the program expire entirely. | The bill fell three votes short of the needed supermajority to advance last week but with the clock ticking on controversial provisions of the Patriot Act, supporters of NSA surveillance thought that the proposed reforms were better than letting the program expire entirely. |
| You can read our full report here. | You can read our full report here. |
| The Senate vote on cloture on USA Freedom Act is wrapping to close right now. We will bring you the vote tally when it is there but it looks like the bill will advance by an overwhelming bipartisan margin with only about 20 Republicans opposed. | The Senate vote on cloture on USA Freedom Act is wrapping to close right now. We will bring you the vote tally when it is there but it looks like the bill will advance by an overwhelming bipartisan margin with only about 20 Republicans opposed. |
| One fun tidbit during McConnell’s speech is that Kansas Republican Pat Roberts’ cell phone went off. His ring tone is the song “Let It Go” from the movie Frozen. | One fun tidbit during McConnell’s speech is that Kansas Republican Pat Roberts’ cell phone went off. His ring tone is the song “Let It Go” from the movie Frozen. |
| In middle of serious McConnell speech, Pat Roberts' cell phone goes off with the ringer to the "Frozen" song "Let it go" | In middle of serious McConnell speech, Pat Roberts' cell phone goes off with the ringer to the "Frozen" song "Let it go" |
| This is not the first time Roberts’ cellphone has interrupted Senate business by blaring “Let It Go.” | This is not the first time Roberts’ cellphone has interrupted Senate business by blaring “Let It Go.” |
| It looks like we’re moving towards the first procedural vote of the night as McConnell concedes that USA Freedom Act, a bill he long fought, is “the only realistic way forward.” | It looks like we’re moving towards the first procedural vote of the night as McConnell concedes that USA Freedom Act, a bill he long fought, is “the only realistic way forward.” |
| McConnell calls USA Freedom with "modest amendments" the only realistic way forward | McConnell calls USA Freedom with "modest amendments" the only realistic way forward |
| Mitch McConnell just tried to push through an extension of the two less controversial expiring provisions of the Patriot Act. | Mitch McConnell just tried to push through an extension of the two less controversial expiring provisions of the Patriot Act. |
| The first is the “lone wolf” provision that allows the government to go after potential terrorists who are not affiliated with organized groups and are thus “lone wolves.” | The first is the “lone wolf” provision that allows the government to go after potential terrorists who are not affiliated with organized groups and are thus “lone wolves.” |
| The second provides for roving wiretaps so that the government doesn’t need to get a new warrant every time that a terrorist tries to switch cell phones. | The second provides for roving wiretaps so that the government doesn’t need to get a new warrant every time that a terrorist tries to switch cell phones. |
| Rand Paul objected to both. | Rand Paul objected to both. |
| It looks like the plan in the Senate is just to wait out Rand Paul and allow provisions of the Patriot Act to temporarily lapse for a few days. | It looks like the plan in the Senate is just to wait out Rand Paul and allow provisions of the Patriot Act to temporarily lapse for a few days. |
| According to Senator John Cornyn, Republican senators will offer amendments to strengthen the USA Freedom Act and then go on to a cloture vote to end debate tonight. Unless Rand Paul agrees, which won’t happen, it’ll put off a final vote until Tuesday at the earliest. | According to Senator John Cornyn, Republican senators will offer amendments to strengthen the USA Freedom Act and then go on to a cloture vote to end debate tonight. Unless Rand Paul agrees, which won’t happen, it’ll put off a final vote until Tuesday at the earliest. |
| John McCain is already taking shots at Rand Paul. He took another jibe at the Kentucky Republican about 25 minutes ago to reporters when offered to teach Paul the rules of the Senate. | John McCain is already taking shots at Rand Paul. He took another jibe at the Kentucky Republican about 25 minutes ago to reporters when offered to teach Paul the rules of the Senate. |
| “It’s entertaining that the senator from Kentucky doesn’t know the rules of the Senate yet” said McCain. “I’d be glad to instruct him if he’d seek out my counsel.” | “It’s entertaining that the senator from Kentucky doesn’t know the rules of the Senate yet” said McCain. “I’d be glad to instruct him if he’d seek out my counsel.” |
| Republicans are now holding a closed meeting to discuss next step forward and momentum seems to be building around taking the USA Freedom Act as is. | Republicans are now holding a closed meeting to discuss next step forward and momentum seems to be building around taking the USA Freedom Act as is. |
| Cory Gardner (R-CO), who voted for USA Freedom, says "any further delay on USA Freedom is delaying the inevitable" | Cory Gardner (R-CO), who voted for USA Freedom, says "any further delay on USA Freedom is delaying the inevitable" |
| Thom Tillis thinks US Freedom will pass in one form or another | Thom Tillis thinks US Freedom will pass in one form or another |
| If you were expecting a quiet night, it’s not going to happen. | If you were expecting a quiet night, it’s not going to happen. |
| Rand Paul is channelling Howard Beale by proclaiming “I’m not going to take it any more” in going after what he calls “Barack Obama’s illegal government surveillance.” This is after a somewhat heated exchange with John McCain on the floor. | Rand Paul is channelling Howard Beale by proclaiming “I’m not going to take it any more” in going after what he calls “Barack Obama’s illegal government surveillance.” This is after a somewhat heated exchange with John McCain on the floor. |
| The Senate galleries are filling up too with even more spectators in “Stand With Rand” t-shirts. | The Senate galleries are filling up too with even more spectators in “Stand With Rand” t-shirts. |
| The Senate public gallery is getting filled up as people come in to watch the show, including a number of Rand Paul fans, while two of Paul’s most stalwart allies in the House are watching from the floor. | The Senate public gallery is getting filled up as people come in to watch the show, including a number of Rand Paul fans, while two of Paul’s most stalwart allies in the House are watching from the floor. |
| In the Senate at the start of the #PatriotAct debate: Rep. Tom Massie, Rep. Justin Amash, 6 young guys wearing STAND WITH RAND shirts. | In the Senate at the start of the #PatriotAct debate: Rep. Tom Massie, Rep. Justin Amash, 6 young guys wearing STAND WITH RAND shirts. |
| Rand Paul’s presidential campaign is still ferociously fundraising over the NSA debate in the Senate. | Rand Paul’s presidential campaign is still ferociously fundraising over the NSA debate in the Senate. |
| His campaign sent out a fundraising email with the subject line “I’m forcing the Patriot Act to expire” | His campaign sent out a fundraising email with the subject line “I’m forcing the Patriot Act to expire” |
| Interestingly, the email is targeted at Obama, not Mitch McConnell. | Interestingly, the email is targeted at Obama, not Mitch McConnell. |
| Paul’s campaign writes: | Paul’s campaign writes: |
| “The showdown over illegal NSA spying is today. | “The showdown over illegal NSA spying is today. |
| President Obama has declared “…I expect them to take action and take action swiftly.” | President Obama has declared “…I expect them to take action and take action swiftly.” |
| But Rand is standing up to President Obama’s demands by forcing illegal NSA spying to expire. | But Rand is standing up to President Obama’s demands by forcing illegal NSA spying to expire. |
| He won’t allow Congress to rush a bill through the Senate that extends the NSA’s bulk data collection program. | He won’t allow Congress to rush a bill through the Senate that extends the NSA’s bulk data collection program. |
| And the attacks are sure to escalate now that Rand stood up to President Obama. | And the attacks are sure to escalate now that Rand stood up to President Obama. |
| So he’s counting on you to be in his corner as this fight continues. | So he’s counting on you to be in his corner as this fight continues. |
| Please take a few moments to read the email below for more details about Rand’s showdown with President Obama and add your name to Stand with Rand.” | Please take a few moments to read the email below for more details about Rand’s showdown with President Obama and add your name to Stand with Rand.” |
| Obama supports the compromise USA Freedom Act which fell three votes short of the necessary supermajority last week while Mitch McConnell has been opposed. | Obama supports the compromise USA Freedom Act which fell three votes short of the necessary supermajority last week while Mitch McConnell has been opposed. |
| Harry Reid is now on the floor slamming Mitch McConnell for “not having a plan” and creating this crisis via a strategy of brinksmanship. | Harry Reid is now on the floor slamming Mitch McConnell for “not having a plan” and creating this crisis via a strategy of brinksmanship. |
| Reid says “I’m a little bit flummoxed” by McConnell’s plans or lack thereof. While he is insisting that extension of some of the Patriot Act’s powers are “vitally important,” he’s not taking any shots at Rand Paul. Reid says “I disagree with the junior senator from Kentucky but we’re not in the mess we’re in today because of the junior senator from Kentucky, we’re in the mess that we’re in today because of the Majority Leader.” | Reid says “I’m a little bit flummoxed” by McConnell’s plans or lack thereof. While he is insisting that extension of some of the Patriot Act’s powers are “vitally important,” he’s not taking any shots at Rand Paul. Reid says “I disagree with the junior senator from Kentucky but we’re not in the mess we’re in today because of the junior senator from Kentucky, we’re in the mess that we’re in today because of the Majority Leader.” |
| And the Senate is now in session with Mitch McConnell delivering a tribute to Beau Biden, the son of Vice President Joe Biden, who passed away last night. | And the Senate is now in session with Mitch McConnell delivering a tribute to Beau Biden, the son of Vice President Joe Biden, who passed away last night. |
| So far, there are only a handful of senators on the floor. McConnell and Dan Coats of Indiana representing the GOP and Minority Leader Harry Reid and Patrick Leahy, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee representing their party. | So far, there are only a handful of senators on the floor. McConnell and Dan Coats of Indiana representing the GOP and Minority Leader Harry Reid and Patrick Leahy, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee representing their party. |
| Speaker John Boehner issued a statement this afternoon urging the Senate to pass the USA Freedom Act. | Speaker John Boehner issued a statement this afternoon urging the Senate to pass the USA Freedom Act. |
| Boehner said ““Al Qaeda, ISIL and other terrorists around the globe continue to plot attacks on America and our allies. Anyone who is satisfied with letting this critical intelligence capability go dark isn’t taking the terrorist threat seriously. I’d urge the Senate to pass the bipartisan USA Freedom Act, and do so expeditiously.” | Boehner said ““Al Qaeda, ISIL and other terrorists around the globe continue to plot attacks on America and our allies. Anyone who is satisfied with letting this critical intelligence capability go dark isn’t taking the terrorist threat seriously. I’d urge the Senate to pass the bipartisan USA Freedom Act, and do so expeditiously.” |
| The Speaker of the House has played his own understated role in this debate. By refusing to call his chamber back into session before Monday, he’s made things much more difficult for Senate Republicans by greatly limiting their options as any compromise besides USA Freedom would require a vote in the House. | The Speaker of the House has played his own understated role in this debate. By refusing to call his chamber back into session before Monday, he’s made things much more difficult for Senate Republicans by greatly limiting their options as any compromise besides USA Freedom would require a vote in the House. |
| Will the surveillance state turn into a pumpkin at midnight? | Will the surveillance state turn into a pumpkin at midnight? |
| Controversial provisions of the Patriot Act are set to expire tonight if the Senate doesn’t reach a compromise on government surveillance in a rare Sunday session. We are inside Congress with all the latest updates on the fate of the first major reform package since the Edward Snowden revelations – and what another marathon legislative session could mean for the future of intelligence. | Controversial provisions of the Patriot Act are set to expire tonight if the Senate doesn’t reach a compromise on government surveillance in a rare Sunday session. We are inside Congress with all the latest updates on the fate of the first major reform package since the Edward Snowden revelations – and what another marathon legislative session could mean for the future of intelligence. |
| The USA Freedom Act, a bipartisan compromise that would ban the bulk collection exposed by Snowden and is overwhelmingly backed in the House of Representatives, fell three votes short of advancing in another marathon nine days ago. A two-month extension of government surveillance proposed by supporters of the status quo also fell short of the 60-vote supermajority needed to start debate on a bill in the Senate. | The USA Freedom Act, a bipartisan compromise that would ban the bulk collection exposed by Snowden and is overwhelmingly backed in the House of Representatives, fell three votes short of advancing in another marathon nine days ago. A two-month extension of government surveillance proposed by supporters of the status quo also fell short of the 60-vote supermajority needed to start debate on a bill in the Senate. |
| That night ended when Kentucky Republican Rand Paul, a stalwart opponent of government surveillance and what he perceives to be the weak compromise language of the USA Freedom Act, successfully blocked even a short-term extension of the Patriot Act by just one day. | That night ended when Kentucky Republican Rand Paul, a stalwart opponent of government surveillance and what he perceives to be the weak compromise language of the USA Freedom Act, successfully blocked even a short-term extension of the Patriot Act by just one day. |
| Tonight, Paul plans to get to take the spotlight again. The presidential candidate has since pledged to do all he can to delay any legislation that doesn’t meet his goals. “I will force the expiration of the NSA illegal spy program,” he has promised. Under Senate rules, the result is that – barring a deal – no vote would occur until Tuesday morning at 2am. | Tonight, Paul plans to get to take the spotlight again. The presidential candidate has since pledged to do all he can to delay any legislation that doesn’t meet his goals. “I will force the expiration of the NSA illegal spy program,” he has promised. Under Senate rules, the result is that – barring a deal – no vote would occur until Tuesday morning at 2am. |
| The question now is whether that deal can be reached. While Senate Republicans have long been wary of the USA Freedom Act, its approval by the House means that it is the only vehicle to avoid a total shutdown of these government surveillance powers. Any other legislation approved by the Senate would require a vote by the House, which is not scheduled to convene until Monday afternoon, after the controversial provisions of the Patriot Act expire. | The question now is whether that deal can be reached. While Senate Republicans have long been wary of the USA Freedom Act, its approval by the House means that it is the only vehicle to avoid a total shutdown of these government surveillance powers. Any other legislation approved by the Senate would require a vote by the House, which is not scheduled to convene until Monday afternoon, after the controversial provisions of the Patriot Act expire. |
| It’s looking to be a long night in Washington, but opponents of any extension or compromise have one big advantage: If nothing happens, these provisions expire – and nothing comes more naturally to Congress than doing nothing. | It’s looking to be a long night in Washington, but opponents of any extension or compromise have one big advantage: If nothing happens, these provisions expire – and nothing comes more naturally to Congress than doing nothing. |