Patriot Act Going Slowly and Quietly Away

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Guess the Republicans giveth and they taketh away.  It is an amazing thing to watch the Republicans repeal the Patriot Act when the Democrats have always been opposed to the legislation (at least publicly that is) AND had control of the House for 4 years.  What is it called when you say one thing and do another?  At least it is very clear what the Republicans are.

In a misstep for the new Republican leadership, the House has rejected legislation to extend for nine months three key surveillance tools that are part of the nation’s post-Sept. 11 anti-terror law.

The Republicans brought the bill to the floor Tuesday under a procedure requiring a two-thirds majority for passage. But with 26 Republicans joining Democrats in opposing the extension of the USA Patriot Act provisions, the vote was 277-148, seven short of what was needed for passage.