Backers of Short-Term Patriot Act Extension Claim Senate Majority

From Congressional Quarterly

Senators blocking a vote on legislation that would reauthorize expiring provisions of the Patriot Act say they now have a majority willing to support a three-month extension of the current law to allow negotiators more time to work out lingering differences on the broad bill.

In a letter sent today to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., 52 senators urged Frist to drop his opposition to the short-term extension and pass such a bill before the 16 provisions on the 2001 anti-terrorism law expire Dec. 31.

Four Republicans added their names to the list supporting a temporary extension. That brings the total to eight Republicans, 43 Democrats and one independent.

But Frist continued to hold firm and demanded that Democrats stop the filibuster and allow a vote on the full reauthorization. President Bush has said he would not sign the extension if cleared.