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INSIDE POLITICS

Bush: Senate vote on Patriot Act 'irresponsible'

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President Bush appears on TV Saturday to urge renewal of Patriot Act provisions.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush called the Senate's decision on the Patriot Act Friday "irresponsible," saying it "endangers the lives" of the citizenry.

Bush made the remarks in a live TV appearance on Saturday morning at the same time his weekly radio address -- which is normally taped -- is aired.

The Senate on Friday rejected efforts to renew expiring provisions of the Patriot Act, dealing a major blow to President Bush and the Republican leadership. (Watch Bush's entire address -- 7:51)

Senators on both sides of the aisle argued that some of the act's provisions infringe on civil rights. The bipartisan group proposed a three-month extension to continue debate and amend certain provisions.

Some of those lawmakers had threatened a filibuster to prevent the act from being renewed in its current form.

The Senate needed 60 votes to override a filibuster and end debate, which is called "invoking cloture." Cloture would have brought the Patriot Act to a vote, allowing the Senate to renew it by a simple majority.

But only 52 senators voted to cut off debate; 47 voted against cloture.

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