Technology & Innovation

Patriot Act Expansion Stopped in the House

July 15, 2016

The U.S. House of Representatives recently blocked passage of a bill that would have expanded a provision of the Patriot Act. The particular provision would have allowed banks to share financial transaction data with the federal government.

According to Cristina Marcos at The Hill, the bill was introduced under fast-track procedures that prohibit amendments. Furthermore, members of the House Liberty Caucus warned that passage of the bill would continue to threaten the privacy of American citizens.

While the bill won a simple majority, 229 to 177, it did not clear the supermajority threshold required for passage.

The House Liberty Caucus stated that such a provision would “permit the government to demand information on any American from any financial institution merely upon reasonable suspicion.”