House, Senate Reach Deal on Patriot Act

By JESSE J. HOLLAND
The Associated Press
Thursday, December 8, 2005; 12:01 PM

WASHINGTON -- House and Senate negotiators reached an agreement Thursday to extend the USA Patriot Act, the government's premier anti-terrorism law, before its major provisions expire at the end of the month.

"All factors considered it's reasonably good, not perfect, but it's acceptable," said Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and chairman of the Judiciary Committee, as he announced the deal.