ABC - link provided by George Jefferson with the following:
"We are here now facing yet another manufactured crisis with the vitally
important Patriot Act provisions set to expire in a matter of hours,"
Reid said.
President Obama has warned that the expiration of the phone records collection program would pose a threat to national security.
"We shouldn't be disarming unilaterally as our enemies grow more
sophisticated and aggressive and we certainly shouldn't be doing so
based on a campaign of demagoguery and disinformation launched in the
unlawful actions of Edward Snowden," McConnell said.
The NSA's domestic surveillance program expired at midnight after the
Senate failed to reach a deal to pass legislation Sunday evening.
The expiration came after the Senate convened for a rare Sunday session to deal with the expiring provisions of the Patriot Act.
Before adjourning without reaching a deal, the Senate made some
progress, clearing a key procedural hurdle on the USA Freedom Act, but
due to procedural objections by Sen. Rand Paul, the Senate was unable to
hold any additional votes to move forward with the measure.
Three key provisions of the Patriot Act expired at midnight -- Section
215, which authorizes the NSA's bulk collection of Americans' phone
records; a roving wiretap provision that allows law enforcement
officials to monitor terror suspects that use multiple phones; and a
program that officials can use to monitor "lone wolf" terror suspects,
not connected to any known terrorist organizations.
NSA Surveillance Program 'Likely' to Expire Tonight, Richard Clarke Says
NSA's Domestic Surveillance Program May Expire: What You Need to Know
No 'Plan B' If Congress Misses NSA Deadline, White House Says
The NSA started the shutdown process at 4 p.m. Sunday. It will take an
entire day to reboot the system, if Congress passes legislation
reforming the metadata collection program.
Debate Magazine
