DENVER (AP) — U.S. Senators Mark Udall, a Democrat from Colorado, and Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, are concerned about the proposed reauthorization of the Patriot Act.
The two senators say they are concerned that the Senate is moving to reauthorize the legislation without debate, and that the administration has continued to refuse to declassify its legal interpretation of the Patriot Act, making it impossible for them to determine how the law is being interpreted. They scheduled a conference call Tuesday to express their concerns.
The legislation would allow the government to continue using three controversial and wide-ranging provisions for four more years, including the use of roving wiretaps.
Some lawmakers say the legislation is less necessary now that al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden is dead.
