House Approves Democratic Intelligence Bill

On a 227-189 vote, the House has approved a new Democratic-drafted intelligence surveillance bill that beefs up judicial oversight of U.S. eavesdropping programs while blocking retroactive immunity for telecom firms.

President Bush has already issued a veto threat against the new bill, the "Responsible Electronic Surveillance That is Overseen, Reviewed, and Effective Act" or RESTORE Act.

The House legislation allows intelligence agencies to conduct warrantless eavesdropping on non-U.S. citizens, but a warrant must be obtained from a secret intelligence court if intelligence agencies believe that a foreigner is likely to be in contact with an American citizen.

“The bill is important - it accomplishes the goal of striking the balance between security and liberty in the following ways: it defends Americans against terrorism and other threats; it protects Americans’ civil liberties; and it restores checks and balances," said Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Pelosi added that "all of us want our president to have the best possible intelligence, our president and our policy makers. So they can do the best possible job to protect the American people. But no president, Democrat or Republican, should have the authority to have inherent authority to collect surveillance on Americans without doing so under the law."

Republicans blasted the Democratic bill as unwise and dangerous, and they noted the veto threat from the White House, issued before the House even voted.

“This irresponsible bill will never become law," said Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio). "The president will veto this dangerous proposal, and House Republicans have more than enough votes to sustain it. Congress has the responsibility to keep the intelligence gap firmly closed to ensure the American people are protected from terrorist enemies plotting to harm us."