House Rejects Democratic Spy Bill

[many a good man]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON - Congress and the White House struggled Friday over expanding authority to eavesdrop on suspected foreign terrorists in a high-stakes showdown over national security.

The House rejected a Democratic proposal opposed by President Bush that would give him that authority for only four months. The largely party-line vote in favor of the bill was 218-207, short of the two-thirds majority needed under rules limiting debate.

...

"I hope that there are no attacks before we are able to effectively update this important act," said Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee.

...
Senate Democrats backed off their initial demands to have the surveillance process reviewed by the FISA court before overseas eavesdropping without warrants could begin. Instead, the bill headed for passage there largely mirrors what the Bush administration wanted. It would require:

Initial approval by Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. The White House agreed to add McConnell after Democrats balked at giving that authority to Gonzales alone.

_FISA court review within 120 days. The final Democratic plan had called for court review to begin immediately and concluded within a month after the surveillance started.

_The law to expire in six months to give Congress time to craft a more comprehensive plan.

Read more: http://www.lompocrecord.com/articles/2007/08/03/ap/headlines/d8qpthf00.txt

[mzmolly]

1. Sucks, but thankfully it's only two more months before we re-evaluate.

eom

[atreides1]

2. You really Believe That

Do you really believe that Bush is going to abide by this law? He's put a signing statement on almost anything that would affect his power, and mark my words he'll put a signing statement on this as well.

[mzmolly]

3. We can't control what the asshole does illegally.

All we can do is our best to pass reasonable legislation.

[DavidMS]

16. We *Can* prevent repeated crime by the executive branch

Impeach.

Just impeach them. They can't reoffend.

[Xipe Totec]

4. Oh, four months is not enough? How about NO MONTHS!

What a bunch of Bozos, the 'pugs are.

Now they have nothing.

NEXT!

[Evergreen Emerald]

5. why are they backing off?

WHY ARE THEY BACKING OFF? WHYWHYWHYTHEFUCKARETHEYBACKINGOFF???

[AndyTiedye]

7. Because Bush** Has Them By The…

[ProudDad]

11. NOT if they don't pass anything (n/t)

[aquart]

6. I have no idea what this means.

What passed? What didn't? What are we getting?

[many a good man]

8. I think it means

House Democrats wanted to pass a bill limiting the president's eavesdropping powers but for some reason needed two-thirds to get it to move from debate to a floor vote. I thought the only the Senate could kill a bill that way, not the House.

[Dj13Francis]

9. No he doesn't

"I hope that there are no attacks before we are able to effectively update this important act," said Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee.

Never has a more untrue statement been uttered by anyone, ever.

[ProudDad]

10. Let me see if I've got this straight

bush/cheney has been illegally wiretapping since 2001 (or maybe before).

Now they're demanding that Congress make legal their illegality. (retroactively?)

THE DEM'S WANTED to make legal their illegality for only 4 months?????


:wtf:


Who the FUCK voted for the Dems so that they could cover bush/cheney's ass???

I sure as HELL didn't!

Which one of you did that???

Anyone here at DU vote for that shit???

Hell, anyone in the NATION vote Dem so they could pull this shit???

Damn... :grr:

[NYC Liberal]

13. Know what makes it even more outrageous?

The guy has FUCKING 25 PERCENT approval rating!! 25 PERCENT! One of the lowest ever since they started recording it!

Why can Bush tell *anyone* what to do?? Shouldn't Dems be laughing in his face whenever he says anything?

[aquart]

14. Yes. Why aren't we?

[AndyTiedye]

15. Because

[davekriss]

18. If retroactive immunity from prosecution...

...was part of the bill, then we should talk about "impeaching" some Democrats in addition to the Bush regime.

Recall that retroactive immunity was part of the Military Commissions Act of 2006. Yes, Bush and his flying monkey minions violated U.S. law and the Geneva Conventions, but by the terms of the MCA they are covered and cannot be prosecuted.

[mancandy]

12. Looks like we're paying the price for winning the House...

with these so called Blue Dog Democrats.:mad:

[Peace Patriot]

17. Throw Diebold/ES&S election theft machines into 'Boston Harbor' NOW!

nt

[ProudDad]

19. California just did!

http://www.alternet.org/rights/58852/

I'm very happy I voted for Debra Bowen...

I'm also very happy I DIDN'T VOTE FOR DiFi!!!!