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NATIONAL BRIEFING / WASHINGTON, D.C.

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Times Wire Reports

A divided Senate Judiciary Committee approved a revised version of the Patriot Act after intelligence and law enforcement officials assured lawmakers that counter-terrorism operations would not be harmed. The 11-8 vote sent the bill to the full Senate, but several senators who voted yes said that they might oppose the legislation on the floor unless more changes are made.

The Patriot Act authorizes law enforcement and intelligence agencies to conduct court-ordered surveillance and seizure of records and other tangible items in counter-terrorism operations. Parts of the law will expire Dec. 31 unless Congress reauthorizes them.

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