Senate renews Patriot Act by 89-10 vote

WASHINGTON -- The Senate on Thursday gave its blessing to the renewal of the USA Patriot Act after adding privacy protections designed to strike a balance between civil liberties and the government's power to root out terrorists.

The 89-10 vote marked a bright spot in President Bush's troubled second term as his approval ratings dipped over the war in Iraq and his administration's response to Hurricane Katrina. Renewing the act, Bush and congressional Republicans said, was key to preventing more terror attacks in the United States.

The House was expected to approve it next week and send it to the president. "This bill will allow our law enforcement officials to continue to use the same tools against terrorists that are already used against drug dealers and other criminals, while safeguarding the civil liberties of the American people," Bush said.

Illinois Democrats Barack Obama and Dick Durbin voted for the act.