Christie criticizes Senate’s failure to extend Patriot Act

Gov. Chris Christie says the U.S. Senate’s failure to extend the Patriot Act could have dangerous consequences.

The Senate failed early Saturday morning to advance a House-passed bill and several short-term extensions of the law. Critics of the government’s surveillance program under the law called the failure a victory.

Christie said in a statement Saturday that “misguided ideologues” were to blame for the bills’ failure.

The surveillance program has been a flashpoint in Republican presidential politics.

Christie is considering a run for the White House and could announce a decision next month. And one of the Patriot Act’s chief opponents is Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul who is seeking the GOP nomination.