Rand Paul: “I do not quite grasp why they are so fearful of debate and fearful of votes, that they are willing to let the PATRIOT…”

“I do not quite grasp why they are so fearful of debate and fearful of votes, that they are willing to let the PATRIOT Act expire to prevent debate and prevent votes. The sticking point turns out to be an amendment basically on preventing gun records from being sifted through under the PATRIOT Act. People say: Well, what if someone--a terrorist--is selling guns illegally? Couldn't we get them? Yes, we could get them the way we get everybody else: Ask the judge for a warrant. Judges routinely do not turn down warrants. It worked for us for 225 years, until the PATRIOT Act, when we had a process, the fourth amendment, protecting us from an overzealous government. But it also worked to catch criminals. At this time I yield the floor temporarily to my good friend from Utah. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Utah.”