Senate Passes Bush Eavesdropping Bill

Senate OKs White House Bill To Expand Authority For 6 Months; House Rejects Democrats' Version

(AP)  The Senate, in a high-stakes showdown over national security, has voted to temporarily give President George W. Bush expanded authority to eavesdrop on suspected foreign terrorists without court warrants.

The House of Representatives, meanwhile, rejected a Democratic version of the bill Friday.

Democratic leaders there were working on a plan to bring up the Senate-passed measure and vote on it Saturday in response to Mr. Bush's demand that Congress give him expanded powers before leaving for vacation this weekend.

The White House applauded the Senate vote and urged the House to quickly follow suit.

The bill "will give our intelligence professionals the essential tools they need to protect our nation," said White House spokesman Tony Fratto. "It is urgent that this legislation become law as quickly as possible."

Senate Democrats reluctantly voted for a plan largely crafted by the White House after Mr. Bush promised to veto a stricter proposal that would have required a court review to begin within 10 days.

The Senate bill gives Mr. Bush the expanded eavesdropping authority for six months. The temporary powers give Congress time to hammer out a more comprehensive plan instead of rushing approval for a permanent bill in the waning hours before lawmakers begin their monthlong break.

The Senate vote late Friday was 60-28. Both parties had agreed to require 60 votes for passage.

Senate Republicans, aided by Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell, said the update to the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, would at least temporarily close gaps in the nation's security system.

"Al Qaeda is not going on vacation this month," said Sen. Republican leader Mitch McConnell. "And we can't either until we know we've done our duty to the American people."

In the House, Democrats lost an effort to push a proposal that called for stricter court oversight of the way the government would ensure its spying would not target Americans.

"The rule of law is still critical in this country," Rep. John Tierney, a Democrat, said before the losing the mostly party-line 218-207 vote that fell short of two-thirds majority needed for passage. "It is exactly when the government thinks that it can be the sole, fair arbiter that we most need a judicial system to stand in and strike the balance."

"We can have security and our civil liberties," Tierney said.

Current law requires court review of government surveillance of suspected terrorists in the United States. It does not specifically address the government's ability to intercept messages believed to come from foreigners overseas.

[mike71067]

UPI/Zogby Poll: Survey shows just 3% of Americans approve of how Congress is handling the war in Iraq; 24% say the same for the President.

[perception5]

DID EVERYONE SEE HOW FAST CBS (CENSORING BROADCASTING STATION) MOVED THE STORY ABOUT THE DEMOCRATS ATTENDING THE DAILYKOS "BROWN SHIRTS" CONVENTION???? THEY POSTED IT AROUND 11:30AM AND HAD IT MOVED WITHIN 90 MINUTES..... UNBELIEVEABLE

THIS IS CENSORSHIP!!!

RICK KAPLAN, YOU NEED TO RESIGN SIR...!!!

[mudrose-2009]

Well, they can stay there until they come up with a bill or they can stay there and rot. When it comes to protecting this country, hands down the Dimwits simply refuse to do it. Can't have civil liberties if you don't have a country.

[sskane]

?

[tuckerndfw]

Do we really need to wonder why Iraq has no functioning government? Anything that involves George Bush is dysfunctional.

Congress should advise the president that they will continue sending him the same bill until he signs it.

And, refuse to do any other business in the meantime. Those Congressional offices are pretty comfy, so they shouldn't mind hanging out for awhile.

Besides that, what's the hurry? Didn't Bush claim "we are fighting them over there so we don't have to fight them here"?

Or, is that just another in his long list of lies?

[pwrslm]

Congress needs to give the tools to the people that have a job to do, so that the job can get done.

Never before in history have we faced an enemy like terrorism. We have to allow for compromise in time of war, congress can not expect to keep america safe by playing the part of the snipe hunter instead of the peoples defender. The option is our safety -vs- our privacy. Ill give up a bit of privacy for my kids safety, any day.

[tuckerndfw]

Can't have civil liberties if you don't have a country.

Posted by mudrose at 01:25 PM : Aug 03, 2007

You have it backwards, without civil liberties, the US (as we know it) no longer exists.

There is nothing more important than maintaining civil liberties.

[rwassel]

Oh, he doesn't want them to go on vacation? That makes sense coming from the man who has taken the most vacation in the history of any U.S. president.

The nation's security is at stake you say? Kind of like the security of thousands of people we're at stake after Hurricane Katrina, yet George Bush remained in California for two more days, attending a Republican Fundraiser.

Pot calling the kettle black, anyone?

[tuckerndfw]

Ill give up a bit of privacy for my kids safety, any day.

Posted by pwrslm at 01:27 PM : Aug 03, 2007

Good for you, but you won't give up mine.

Perhaps you and your kids should go live in a maximum security prison. They will keep you very safe.

Never before have we faced an enemy such as the spineless cowards who would surrender not only their own freedoms, but everyone else's, based on a virtually non-existent threat.

The average American is at far greater risk of being killed by lightning than by a terrorist.

[trillion1]

to bush our Bill Of Rights is just toilet paper and anyone who thinks giving them up will make them safer is a fool.

[tuckerndfw]

Congress already made one major mistake by giving this moron the authority to wage war on "terrorists."

They have compounded that mistake on several occasions, but, if Democrats cave into this nonsense, they might as well call themselves Republicans.

There is no reason a court should not review wiretaps of any kind. A president who insists he must have "secret" wiretaps isn't qualified to be given that authority.

[cbsreader4]

I wonder how Bush can "pressure" congress on anything at this point. It was my understanding that his approval rating was dismal, at best, so his ability to pressure anyone should be minimal.

Nevertheless, Congress should scutinize quite carefully anything that this president wants. Nothing should pass Congress that promotes the Iraq war, the so-called "Patriot Act", or any kind of terror legislation until the American people have had a chance to vote on it.

[stevex47]

"We've worked hard and in good faith with the Democrats to find a solution,"

That is a blatant lie by the president, far greater than the lie clinton told about s-e-x.

This administration knows nothing of good faith.

[lkemmler]

Bush is an ***!!

[drummer94]

"...but we are not going to put our national security at risk. Time is short." Uh, WHAT? You know something we don't George? Whaddya mean "time is short"? Don't like the sound of this.

[realpatriot1]

We weren't supposed to know about this special court but Boehner couldn't keep his mouth shut.

Now the terrorists know they can route calls through the U.S. and plan their attack. Why did this happen?
Because Boehner & Bush wanted to play politics.

I guess what they learned from the Plame affair was we can get away with anything.

Leaky Boehner & Bush, eh mudrose?

[itchyb-2009]

"Ill give up a bit of privacy for my kids safety, any day."

Oh my, indeed, that's how it starts. Read up on the rise of the Third Reich. Good Germans, all. This kind of mind set scares me as much as the morons we have in the white house.

[antoniof123]

"So far the Democrats in Congress have not drafted a bill I can sign," Mr. Bush said at FBI headquarters, where he was meeting with counterterror and homeland security officials. "We've worked hard and in good faith with the Democrats to find a solution, but we are not going to put our national security at risk. Time is short."

Uhh too bad!!!!

How does that sign this is what you get sign it or go back to what was there. Tough luck Mr. President you are no longer in control of the lock steppers.

[randalds]

Hey Bush! Are you listening close enough?

SCR*EW YOU!!!

[tuckerndfw]

What George Bush means is "I want to spy on my political opponents without interference."

Richard Nixon would love this legislation.

If anyone seriously believes that some government agency is not monitoring all communications around the world 24/7, including phone calls within the US, he is very, very naive.

[stk2thsbjct]

Ya know, everytime I read the whining comments about privacy and not willing to give it up etc, the only thing I can think of is GROW UP !! Whatever happened to people being more concerned with the greater good than themselves. IF you have nothing to HIDE then what difference if they listed to some comversations. Once they figure out you aren't working with a known or suspected terrorist they are no longer interseted in your meaningless life. I can guarantee that if someone told you they would give you money just to be on a reality show you would give up your privacy in a heart beat.

[forthepeopl1]

bush stated time is short. guess they need to get some info from there freinds bin, so they can plan anoughter attact on us americans and blaim it on iran, so bush and v.p can make more money..

hey bush/cheney/rice/rove/and all others in whitehouse that we americans are paying to protact us. your fired.................................................................................................................................................................. and i hope you all get what is comming so very very soon...................................................................bye,bye,

[soldat44]

IF you have nothing to HIDE then what difference if they listed to some comversations.
Posted by stk2thsbjct at 01:59 PM : Aug 03, 2007

The problem is that the definition of 'nothing' in 'nothing to hide' changes with who is in power at the time. That's the problem...

[mudrose-2009]

You have it backwards, without civil liberties, the US (as we know it) no longer exists.

There is nothing more important than maintaining civil liberties.
Posted by tuckerndfw

Then you defend your civil liberties and leave it to the President to defend the country. Get a cell phone.

[zootallures2]

Interesting... neo-cons wanna make it easier and a main stream social norm to be a swindling perverted jerk and at the same time have all this spying? Bush is one who likes to watch? Trying to single out the honest people for genocide?

[forthepeopl1]

HEY MUDASS, TIME TO TAKE YOUR PILLS, THEY ARE WAITTING..

PLEASE TELL BUSH AMERICA HAS STOP LISTTING TO WHAT EVER THEY SAY..

TELL HIM AMERICANS ARE COMMING TO,OOPS SAID TO MUCH.

[twylacrat]

Those who sacrifice freedom for safety deserve neither. And you'll get neither from this administration.

[roger_inkart]

Bush is in NO postion to demand anything. His policies have led us down a road of destruction, chaos and endless war.

If at any time he would have shown sound leadership and that be can be trusted, sure. We could give him the benefit of the doubt. But he has shown just the opposite.

To the point of when he really demands something we should be highly skeptical of his reasons. He wants it for himself and his cronies, not the nation.

[mudrose-2009]

I guess what they learned from the Plame affair was we can get away with anything.

Leaky Boehner & Bush, eh mudrose?
Posted by realpatriot1

Come on now. This is exactly what I was talking about earlier in the week. Now CBS says it was leaked. Give me a break. And again with the Plame game b.s. The CIA leaked Plame to Novak. Had they considered her covert, they would have stopped him dead in his tracks, but to cover theirs after it because a big scandal they insisted on an investigation. You are being manipulated once again my friend.

[pixelslinger]

My privacy is worth more than your kid, or even your family.

That I have my privacy ensures that you have yours - and I can understand that so many Americans are so poorly educated as to understand the fundamental human rights we're talking about here because they don't understand the Constitution.

[irishmail42]

I understand the President is demanding that the Congress stay in session until they "pass a bill that will give our intelligence community the tools they need to protect the United States." So why not the Iraqi Parliament?

[mudrose-2009]

HEY MUDASS, OOPS SAID TO MUCH.
Posted by forthepeopl1

As usual.

Those who sacrifice freedom for safety deserve neither. Posted by twylacrat

Well, if you aren't safe, you aren't free now are you? I mean the Iraqis I think would agree with that premise.

[itchyb-2009]

IF you have nothing to HIDE then what difference if they listed to some comversations...
Posted by stk2thsbjct

Sure, and if Bush has nothing to hide, why does he refuse to let people testify under oath to the congress??? Pathetic

[adventurepa]

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales lied to Congress about the NSA's activities. Director McConnell has deliberately misled Congress and the American people time and again.

That this Democratic Congress is even considering Director McConnell's proposed changes is, for lack of a better word, a disgrace.
Just say no to warrantless wiretapping!!!!!!!!!!
Any and all congressmen and women that sign this legislation and do not vote, "no way in Hell" on this measure will find themselfs out of a job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[searingtruth]

Awesome.

The Democrats have only one choice now.

Stay in session indefinitely and use all their time to investigate the fascist Bush administrations uncounted crimes.

And then impeach Bush and Cheney, and try all their henchmen, for high treason against The United States of America and crimes against humanity.

The Democrats only other choice would be to cross the line from being lackluster in their defense of America, to actively joining the Republicans in a final push to destroy what is left of our Constitutional form of government.

And that would be political suicide, forcing the American people into the streets to reclaim our government for ourselves.

Either way, our Constitution, and our freedom, will be restored.

Glorious.
ST


"When everything is secret, everything is legal."
SearingTruth

"Law without justice is simply tyranny."
SearingTruth

"My fellow citizens, the truth is that the Constitution fails to defend itself, enduring only in the brave hearts of those who would uphold it."
SearingTruth, A Future of the Brave

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[roger_inkart]

It's pretty sad that everything Bush wants something he has to resort to threats. Fear is his only tool, and unfortunately it still works on enough people.

Again, Bush has NOT proven himself to be trustworthy. Giving him more unlimited and unchecked power is not going to make us safer as a nation. Securing our borders, rebuilding our crumbling infrastruction, and mending the fences with the allies we've allienated will.

The damage inflicted on the nation by this administration is immeasurable. Their reign of terror and incompetence can't end soon enough.

[twylacrat]

mudrose: Go back to your flock little sheep

[twylacrat]

The Bushies provide no safety and no freedom. Ask the Iraquiis.

[searingtruth]

"It's pretty sad that everything Bush wants something he has to resort to threats. Fear is his only tool, and unfortunately it still works on enough people. ..."
roger_inkart


Indeed.
ST


"A tyrant%u2019s only ally is fear."
SearingTruth

"History does not record a government of the people assured in secret."
SearingTruth

"Tyranny is always preceded by the loss of just a 'little' liberty."
SearingTruth

"It is the entire circumstance that concerns me, not the small window which peers in upon it."
SearingTruth

It%u2019s not %u201CYou have nothing to fear unless you%u2019re doing something wrong%u201D.
It%u2019s %u201CYou have nothing to fear unless the government is doing something wrong.%u201D
SearingTruth

"I join cordially in admiring and revering the Constitution of the United States, the result of the collected wisdom of our country. That wisdom has committed to us the important task of proving by example that a government, if organized in all its parts on the Representative principle unadulterated by the infusion of spurious elements, if founded, not in the fears & follies of man, but on his reason, on his sense of right, on the predominance of the social over his dissocial passions, may be so free as to restrain him in no moral right, and so firm as to protect him from every moral wrong."
Thomas Jefferson, letter to Amos Marsh, November 20, 1801

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[ckcool192001]

The president is demanding congress stay until an eavsdropping bill is passes. A bill that would allow for the collection of intelegence to prevent terrorism. Now in Iraq, which is considered by Bush to be the center of the war on terror, the Iraqi parliment gets a vacation and leaves. So why isn't Bush placing pressure on the Iraqi's to remain in session until bills are passed that will help secure the country and allow our troops to come home. Personally I think this would save the US much more money that what Bush is going to spend on eavesdropping on terrorist. See how messed up Bush's logic is? I mean really, a middle schooler could figure that one out.

The problem is that Bush is bent on his own agenda and thinks he can just force congress to pass laws that he wants. I think Bush would be perfectly happy if he didn't have to go through congress and just do what ever he wanted to...hmm dictatorship anyone? I would like to see congress, absolutely ignore his demands and work on other bills. Just avoid any bill that Bush wants to get passes. I think after a while Bush would be a little more willing to work with congress instead of making demands as a dictator would.

[seven-pesos]

slave state war making snake ...

i'd love to see somebody snuff that rat.

just another white trash, murderous piece of ignorant dixie *****...

the south never does good for america.

always war, hate, arrogance, phony christian creeps, ignorant bible thumping trash.

that's the south for you, folks.

[mudrose-2009]

mudrose: Go back to your flock little sheep
Posted by twylacrat

Did you just wake up, son. Roll over. It's in keeping with your party.

[mudrose-2009]

The Bushies provide no safety and no freedom. Ask the Iraquiis.
Posted by twylacrat

Neither will Billary, Black Magic or Bumpersticker or this current Congress. If they have their way, the Iraqis won't even have a country.

[seven-pesos]

five years in afghanistan and that idiot, bush, hasn't captured osama,

hasn't won the fight against the taliban.

hasn't won the fight in iraq.

actually, that creep, bush, hasn't accomplished one thing in his eight year presidency.

but they still love that idiot, bush, in the south.

"bush is a good christian"...they say in dixie.

"so we support him."

can you believe that *****?

war, hate, reborns, rednecks...

nothing good comes out of the south.

[passerby2]

oh, i just wish we found some evidence that this administration was behind the 9/11 attacks...Can't imagine the things that will happen.

[Acoustical]

IF CONGRESS HAS TO STAY IN SESSION TO HELP BUSH CONTINUE HIS POLICE STATE POWERS, THEN THEY SHOULD START IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE.

WE CANNOT ALOW THIS NUT JOB TO CONTINUE DESTROYING OUR DEMOCRACY. BUSH AND CHENEY MUST GO, THE SOONER THE BETTER. WE CANNOT STAND ANOTHER 17 MONTHS OF THEIR ABUSE AND EXECUTIVE ORDERS TAKING US INTO A POLICE STATE UNDER THEIR MARTIAL LAW.

[adventurepa]

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales lied to Congress about the NSA's activities. Director McConnell has deliberately misled Congress and the American people time and again.

That this Democratic Congress is even considering Director McConnell's proposed changes is, for lack of a better word, a disgrace.
Just say no to warrantless wiretapping!!!!!!!!!!

[seven-pesos]

want to build a veritable utopian state?

let the northern and western blue states combine with liberal canada.

let the southern red states combine with mexico.

man, if we could be rid of the republican south

america would really be a super country then!

ha,ha,ha.

war, hate, republikan snakes, christian creeps...

nothing good comes out of the south.

[hologram5]

Seven pesos, you're an idiot, you exclusively spout the same dribble, come up with new material. Now, IMPEACHMENT, NEED THE US SAY ANY MORE?

[mbcsmith]

absolutely ignore his demands and work on other bills. Just avoid any bill that Bush wants to get passes. I think after a while Bush would be a little more willing to work with congress instead of making demands as a dictator would.
Posted by ckcool192001 at 02:32 PM : Aug 03, 2007

Typical LIB blathering. Protect the country? No way says the LIB hate mongers.