The House of Representatives voted today to approve the renewal of the USA PATRIOT Act, by a vote of 251-174.

The measure now goes back to the Senate, where Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) has threatened to filibuster it.

Because of the filibuster, which other senators from both sides of the aisle may also participate in, Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) wants to simply extend the existing provisions for one year, to allow more time for the Unpatriotic Act renewal to be reworked.

Republicans say the country will be left vulnerable if the Patriot Act is not renewed.

“Renewing the Patriot Act before it expires in December is literally a matter of life and death,” said Rep. Ric Keller, R-Fla.

But the bill’s opponents say the original Patriot Act was rushed into law, and Congress should take more time now to make sure that the rights of innocent Americans are safeguarded before making 14 of the 16 expiring provisions permanent.

They are pushing a temporary extension of the law so they can lobby for additional safeguards in the law. “If we enact the bill as written, a little bit of the liberty tree will have died,” said Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass. — Associated Press

It’s time to call your Senators and urge them to filibuster this Unpatriotic Act.