US Senate passes eavesdropping rules that lets phone companies off the hook for wiretapping
Associated Press | Jul 9, 08 2:15 PM CDT
The Senate has approved a bill overhauling the rules on secret U.S government eavesdropping and granting immunity to telephone companies that helped listen in on Americans after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The Senate passed the bill Wednesday, 69-28. It turned back three amendments that would have watered down, delayed or stripped away the immunity provision demanded by President George W. Bush.
When the president signs the bill, as expected, it will effectively dismiss some 40 lawsuits filed against telecommunications companies for alleged violations of wiretapping and privacy laws.
The bill's passage ends almost a year of political wrangling over eavesdropping rules.
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