Surprise! Close vote on Patriot Act

Sen. Russ Feingold probably isn't feeling quite as lonely today, in his role as a voice in the wilderness warning of the dangers of the Patriot Act. And Rep. F. Jim Sensenbrenner is perhaps not crowing quite as loudly, after almost losing the vote in his house.

The Chicago Tribune reports:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The House renewed the USA Patriot Act in a cliffhanger vote Tuesday night, extending a centerpiece of the war on terrorism at President Bush's urging after months of political combat over the balance between privacy rights and the pursuit of potential terrorists.

Bush, forced by filibuster to accept new curbs on law enforcement investigations, is expected to sign the legislation before 16 provisions of the 2001 law expire Friday.

The vote was 280-138, just two more than needed under special rules that required a two-thirds majority. The close vote caught senior Republican aides in both chambers by surprise.

Three Wisconsin Democrats -- Tammy Baldwin, Gwen Moore, and Dave Obey -- were among the "no" votes as Democrats found some backbone.