PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul vowed on Monday to “everything possible” to block renewal of the terrorism-era Patriot Act, but the Republican presidential hopeful conceded it may not be enough.
Speaking in front of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, Paul lashed out at the National Security Agency’s bulk collection of American citizens’ phone records, which many in his own party say are needed to prevent terrorism.
“We will do everything possible – including filibustering the Patriot Act to stop them,” Paul said, acknowledging that a filibuster likely wouldn’t be enough to block the program. “They have the votes inside the Beltway. But we have the votes outside the Beltway, and we’ll have that fight.”
The Patriot Act, which authorizes the surveillance program, will expire on June 1 unless Congress acts.
Government surveillance could play prominently in the GOP presidential primary contest, which is heating up just as Congress debates surveillance programs initiated by President George W. Bush’s administration and continued under President Barack Obama.