AUGUSTA – With minimal debate Tuesday, the Maine Senate joined the House in approving a resolution urging Congress to make sure federal anti-terrorism legislation does not compromise civil liberties.

The Senate vote of 18-15 for passage followed last Friday’s approval by the House. In contrast to the emotional and sometimes heated House debate, Tuesday’s Senate debate was brief and low-key.

The resolution, HP 1433, focuses on the Patriot Act, which was passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and expanded the government’s wiretap and other surveillance authority.

Democratic Sen. Beth Edmonds of Freeport said that as a librarian, she’s concerned about protecting the privacy of patrons to choose any printed material or video, adding that “suppression of ideas undermines a democratic society.”

Sen. Richard Bennett, R-Norway, said he also finds some aspects of the Patriot Act troubling. But Bennett said he could not support a resolution “that says domestic terrorists should be treated differently from international terrorists.”

Senate Republicans say Democrats should focus their attention on state legislative business rather than nonbinding resolutions.

“The continued debate on these joint resolutions on federal issues is a waste of time and taxpayer money,” Sen. Richard Nass, R-Acton, said in a prepared statement. “We have more pressing state issues that need our attention before this Legislature adjourns.”