WASHINGTON (AP) - 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.
The bill would have extended until Dec. 8 provisions dealing with roving wiretaps, FBI access to business records and surveillance of non-U.S. "lone wolf" terrorist suspects. The provisions expire on Feb. 28 without House and Senate actions.
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