House Could Take Up Surveillance Legislation Next Week

[Purveyor]

Source: CQ Politics

House Democrats are planning floor action next week on a new version of contentious electronic surveillance legislation, but it remains unclear what the bill will contain.

“We don’t have agreement but ... I am very hopeful that we will have legislation on the floor next week, “ House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer , D-Md., said on the floor Thursday in a colloquy with Minority Whip Roy Blunt , R-Mo.

The House and Senate have passed significantly different versions of a bill overhauling the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

The Senate version, which the White House helped to draft, would grant retroactive legal immunity to telecommunications companies that have been sued for their alleged cooperation with the administration’s warrantless surveillance activities after Sept. 11, 2001. The House measure includes no such liability shield.


Read more: http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=cqmidday-000002678676

[liberal N proud]

1. Is this the version where they cave and give the criminal what he wants?

Or will they continue to show some spine?

[spotbird]

2. They already passed the spine bill

it's time to give the criminal what he wants. Absolutely no doubt about it, they're waiving the white flag.

[villager]

3. yes, the cave-in is scheduled for next week. Pissing on the Constitution immediately to follow...

n/t

[fascisthunter]

4. "Daddy... why didn't someone stop Bush?"

Because congress really worked for him... but pretended to oppose him.

[spotbird]

5. At some point I wish they

would honestly surprise me, rather than trick me.

[Robbien]

6. The House should just leave it alone and let the bill die

Just don't bring any bill up for a vote. Even if one passes that has no immunity, the bill will just go to conference and a bi-partisan decision will be made to grant immunity.

Leave it alone. Let the bill die. The old rule of getting warrants before spying is just fine.