[JURIST] The US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence [official website] was unable to come to a final agreement Thursday regarding an FBI proposal for increased power [JURIST report] to seize records and mailings in terror investigations under the USA Patriot Act [text]. In a nearly three-hour closed session the members of the committee debated the merits of the proposal and the effect it would have on people's civil liberties. Civil liberties groups were dismayed that the discussions were not open to the public and have expressed concern [ACLU press release] over the scope of the FBI's power. The New York Times has more.