DHS chief: ‘Alarming’ that Patriot Act powers might expire

Department of Homeland Security Director Jeh Johnson said Wednesday that it was “alarming” the Senate has failed to pass a a bill extending parts of the Patriot Act that are set to expire on Sunday at midnight.

“It is alarming … just four and a half days from now, the legal authorization for activities critical to national security, law enforcement and public safety will expire,” Johnson said.

“The Senate has failed to pass this reasonable compromise or any other legislation in place of the authorities that are about to expire at midnight on Sunday. The Senate, I hope, will act soon,” he added. 

{mosads}Administration officials are ratcheting up their pressure for the Senate to move on a bill, with Attorney General Loretta Lynch warning earlier at the beginning of press conference on another topic that the U.S. risks a “serious lapse” in national security should the Senate not act. 

“I am deeply committed to ensuring that this nation protects the civil liberties of every American while also keeping our country safe and secure,” she said. “Unfortunately, some of the vital and uncontroversial tools we use to combat terrorism and crime are scheduled to shut down on Sunday.”

In Johnson’s remarks, delivered in a speech at Kansas State University, he said the USA Freedom Act — which is supported by the administration but came three votes short in the Senate — “strikes the right balance between civil liberties and national security.”

The bill targets a section used to justify the National Security Agency’s controversial bulk collection of Americans’ phone data, and also looks at expiring provisions targeting suspected home-grown terrorists and tracers for “burner” cellphones.

The bill passed the House earlier this month by a vote of 338-88, but failed to move after a dramatic showdown in the Senate over the weekend.

In his remarks, Johnson twice lobbied Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), who was in attendance, to join other senators in supporting the bill. 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has called a rare session on Sunday to address the matter, hours before the provisions are set to expire.