Patriot Act Extension Stalled In The House

An extension of numerous provisions within the Patriot Act failed to find sufficient support in the House Tuesday night.

The legislative item failed with a 277 to 148 vote, less than the two-thirds procedurally needed to send the measure to the upper chamber. 26 Republicans opposed the extensions, an outcome that is being attributed to the Tea Party influence from November’s mid-term elections.

The measure would have granted investigators the ability to focus on individuals, or “lone wolfs,” working without the backing of large terror networks. It also permits the use of roving wiretaps and allows investigators to access the personal records of terror suspects.

The legislation was initially passed in 2001 shortly after the 9/11 terror attacks. Only 66 members of the House initially opposed it.