If it were up to Tennessee's two U.S. senators, Congress would have simply renewed the controversial Patriot Act.
But extending the controversial counter-terrorism measure in its current form wasn't on the table Sunday. As the law expired Sunday without any clear legislative option that didn't strip the oft-criticized bulk-data collection provisions from the Patriot Act, U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker, both R-Tenn., voted to move forward on a House bill neither is wild about.
"Not only am I deeply concerned about the way the administration has limited the effectiveness of this critical national security program, but I am also extremely disappointed lawmakers allowed a lapse in our ability to hunt down terrorists plotting against Americans," Corker said in a statement.
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