Rand Paul launches pseudo-filibuster of Patriot Act


Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Wednesday took to the Senate floor vowing to speak "so long as my legs can stand" to prevent the renewal of the Patriot Act.
"I will not let the Patriot Act, the most unpatriotic of acts, go unchallenged," Paul said.
Though Paul cast the speech as a filibuster of the Patriot Act's reauthorization, that's not technically accurate because the Senate is not yet seeking cloture on that debate; lawmakers are awaiting a Thursday cloture vote on a trade bill, which prevents Paul from speaking indefinitely. So unlike Paul's 13-hour filibuster of John Brennan's nomination to head the CIA in 2013, the senator and 2016 candidate's latest gambit is "best described as an extended oration about the Fourth Amendment," according to Roll Call.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.
-
Questions abound over the FAA’s management of Boeing
Talking Points Some have called the agency’s actions underwhelming
-
Lou Berney’s 6 favorite books with powerful storytelling
Feature The award-winning author recommends works by Dorothy B. Hughes, James McBride, and more
-
Robert Redford: the Hollywood icon who founded the Sundance Film Festival
Feature Redford’s most lasting influence may have been as the man who ‘invigorated American independent cinema’ through Sundance
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read