Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold On the Five Week Extension of the Patriot Act Passed by the House of Representatives December 22, 2005 I have no problem with a five week extension of the expiring provisions of the Patriot Act. In fact, I prefer the shortest extension possible so that we can fix the current, overly broad parts of the Patriot Act as soon as possible. No one should make the mistake of thinking that a shorter extension will make it possible to jam the unacceptable conference report through the Congress. That bill is dead and cannot be revived. Supporters of that bill need to stop the political gamesmanship and get serious about passing a bill that better protects our rights and freedoms while still giving law enforcement the tools it needs to protect against terrorism.

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