Let me guess, Bush tricked them into doing this
on August 4th, 2007 at 10:55 am(latimes.com) WASHINGTON — Bowing to pressure from the Bush administration, the Senate passed emergency legislation Friday that would significantly expand the authority of U.S. spy agencies to monitor overseas phone calls and e-mails.
It also would remove requirements for court approval when those communications passed through the United States.
The measure would clear away an array of legal obstacles that President Bush and top intelligence officials said were impeding the nation’s ability to track the communications of Al Qaeda operatives and other terrorism suspects abroad.
The House is scheduled to vote on an identical bill today; congressional officials said they expected the measure to pass. On Friday, the House rejected a competing version offered by Democrats.
The Senate bill, approved 60-28, “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.” (more…)
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