WASHINGTON, D.C. (
MyFoxBoston.com) -- Several post-9-11 anti-terror provisions lapsed overnight, after the Senate failed to extend them before a midnight deadline.
In a rare Sunday session, the Senate failed to extend provisions of the Patriot Act before it expired overnight. Lawmakers say this is likely a temporary lapse.
Because the extension failed to pass, the NSA is no longer allowed to collect bulk phone records from Americans. The "lone wolf provision" also expired -- which lets investigators track suspects, even if they're not tied to terrorist organizations.
These programs could be restored this week.
The Senate plans to take up the House compromise plan, the USA Freedom Act, which would require specific, targeted warrants to obtain phone records.
Critics say this lapse comes at a time when threats to the US are at a high. Supporters of the compromise plan say it's the right mix of security and privacy.
