In 2005, Senator Barack Obama was one of nine senators who signed a letter criticizing the then-current version of the legislation for providing insufficient protections for civil liberties. On May 31, 2015, key provisions of the Patriot Act were allowed to expire as the Senate refused to pass legislation extending the Act. The Actions of Edward Snowden who brought the abuses of the Patriot Act to the attention of the American Public are largely responsible for the failures of the Act, Now.
It is time to put this matter behind us. It is better to discuss this type of issue than to continue to have Mr. Snowden remain in exile from this nation. Pardon Mr. Snowden, NOW!