House Speaker Urges Senate Action on the PATRIOT Act

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 /U.S. Newswire/ — House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) made the following statement today regarding the conference report on H.R. 3199, the USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2005. The House passed the bill on Wednesday in a 251-174 vote:

“The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the PATRIOT Act. It’s a good, bipartisan bill that even further strengthens our national security as the men and women of the law enforcement and intelligence communities wage the War on Terror. It also includes new oversight measures so that security and liberty remain balanced. A short-term extension is irresponsible. Senate Democrats should vote for protection, for the PATRIOT Act, and not to rebuild the wall.”

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