Bush Rebuffs FISA Extension

President Bush once again reiterated his objections to an extension of electronic surveillance legislation on Wednesday, dashing the hopes of some House Democrats hoping for another 3 weeks to resolve differences with the Senate over the bill.

The Senate version of the bill contains immunity for telecommunications companies who aided the government, while the House version does not.

The Protect America Act, which gave Bush enhanced surveillance authority even beyond that authorized by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act expires on Friday.

“Congress has had over six months to discuss and deliberate,” Bush said in a statement. “The time for debate is over. I will not accept any temporary extension.”

“If Republicans and Democrats in the Senate can come together on a good piece of legislation, there is no reason why Republicans and Democrats in the House cannot pass the Senate bill immediately,” Bush added. 

However, House Democratic leaders claim that the administration did not make crucial classified documents related to the program available until very recently and it is unfair to force the House to rush through the legislation.

On Tuesday, the Senate passed their version of FISA 68-29, after several amendments to strike the immunity provisions and to require greater oversight of the program failed.

After the vote Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) also floated the idea of another temporary extension, which Senate Republicans immediately denounced as a non-starter.