"What we have done with the Patriot Act, we've given the government enormous powers. We've given the government the right to reach deeply into people's private lives, into their business affairs, without a court order."

-- Rep. Dennis Kucinich

A vocal opponent of the Patriot Act since its passage nearly a decade ago, Rep. Dennis Kucinich has been in the thick of the discussion since Congress teetered on the brink of refusing to renew some key provisions.

With the help of Tea Party Republicans, the Democratic minority in Congress did, indeed, preempt renewal when the vote went 277-148 for a nine-month extension of three key provisions. That was short of the two-thirds majority needed to keep the provisions alive through the end of the calendar year.

They came back Feb. 17 and voted for an extension for 90 days to allow further debate. And it passed.

Not surprisingly, Kucinich had many things to say, invoking among other things, "The Star Spangled Banner," the spirit of the First Amendment and bi-partisanship in defense of basic liberties.

From the floor of the House and in a Feb. 10 press release, he said:

"What we have done with the Patriot Act, we've given the government enormous powers. We've given the government the right to reach deeply into people's private lives, into their business affairs, without a court order. We need to think about that."

Given that the debate will soon be revived as the 90-day extension nears expiration, PolitiFact Ohio decided to take a look.

You can see the full story there. Then come back here to comment.