More than twice as many Americans stand with Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul in wanting to see parts of the Patriot Act dealing with the collection of citizens' cellphone data expire compared with those who want to keep existing rules, according to a new poll.
The results of the
Morning Consult study show that 27 percent of Americans took the same view as Paul, compared to 12 percent who wanted the policies to remain in place without modification — the opinion of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
The provisions expired Sunday night after
Paul blocked measures put forth by McConnell that would have extended them.
Paul was proud of
his actions that helped stop the renewal of the controversial provisions, but his Republican colleagues were none too pleased.
"I know what this is about — I think it's very clear – this is, to some degree, a fundraising exercise," Arizona Sen. John McCain said, alluding to Paul's candidacy for president. "He obviously has a higher priority for his fundraising and political ambitions than for the security of the nation."
Overall in the Morning Consult study, the majority of those surveyed would like to see Congress extend — but modify — the National Security Agency's program of collecting cell phone data. Forty-two percent of voters want to see a modified version of the practice put into effect, which includes 44 percent of Democrats, 43 percent of Republicans, and 40 percent of independents.
A replacement bill, the
USA Freedom Act, is being debated on Capitol Hill this week.
Paul and McConnell have supported each other in recent memory, with Paul backing McConnell's re-election campaign last fall and McConnell endorsing Paul's White House bid, but the two were
at odds the last two weeks as the Sunday night deadline to renew the Patriot Act neared.
On Saturday, Paul told
Politico he would do what it takes to stop the renewal of the Patriot Act.
"So tomorrow, I will force the expiration of the NSA illegal spy program," Paul said.
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