Negotiators in Congress Reach Deal on Patriot Act

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- The FBI's expanded powers to investigate suspected terrorists would be extended for four years under a tentative agreement reached by U.S. congressional negotiators to renew the USA Patriot Act, said Senator Arlen Specter.

``We hammered out what I think is a good bill,'' said Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, at a news conference in Washington today. ``Not a perfect bill, but a good bill.''

The Patriot Act, enacted in 2001 following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, is set to expire at year's end unless Congress extends it. The agreement clears the way for the House of Representatives and Senate to vote on the legislation next week, Specter said.

Specter praised the decision to extend the FBI powers for four years, rather than seven or 10 as some lawmakers had sought.

``This is a very important bill for protection of the country, but we need to see how it works further,'' Specter said.

Efforts to reconcile House and Senate versions of the legislation broke down last month.

A bipartisan group of six senators led by Wisconsin Democrat Russ Feingold had threatened to block the agreement by using a filibuster, the parliamentary tactic that allows unlimited debate. These lawmakers, including New Hampshire Republican John Sununu, objected to a proposal to extend the law for seven years with the expanded FBI powers.