US Libertarian Party Calls for Annulment of Patriot Act

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The US Libertarian party called on Monday for a complete rejection of the USA Patriot Act and its controversial provisions, authorizing US government mass surveillance programs.

Three key Patriot Act provisions expired on Monday after US legislators failed to renew the War-on-Terror-era law. US Senators are set to debate the Freedom Act, which aims to amend and update some of the surveillance powers provided for in the Patriot Act.

"The Libertarian Party wants nothing less than to repeal the USA PATRIOT Act in its entirety, a sentiment widely shared by most Americans who have taken a hard look at the law," the party’s official statement reads.

The party denounced the fact that other provision of the "horrible" law, referring to the Patriot Act, will remain in place, while also voicing their concern over the new legislation.

"The tragedy is that in two days’ time the Senate is aiming to pass some sort of ‘kinder and gentler’ version of the PATRIOT Act that will keep spying on Americans, but promise toothless ‘oversight’ of that spying," the statement reads.

The Patriot Act was first enacted by President George Bush in October 2001 in the wake of the September 11 attacks before being extended by President Barack Obama in 2011.