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GOP, Bush Hammer Dems on Terror Bill

Republicans walk out in protest; Pelosi won't back off on recess

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Feb 14, 2008 3:34 PM CST
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(Newser) – House Democrats are sticking to plans to begin a one-week recess starting tomorrow without renewing a terrorist surveillance bill set to expire when their vacation begins—to the dismay of President Bush and House Republicans, the Washington Post reports. Bush, set to leave for Africa, said the decision imperils national security; House Republicans walked out of the chamber today in protest.

GOP representatives decamped when Democrats passed on the bill for a vote to issue contempt citations to current and former Bush aides. Extending immunity to telecommunications companies that collaborated with government wiretapping programs is the thorny topic; the Senate has already passed its version. But Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says the House isn't "a lap dog of the president or the United States Senate."

President Bush, second from right, greets, from left, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md., in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008, during the signing ceremony for the Economic Stimulus Act of...
President Bush, second from right, greets, from left, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md., in the East Room of the White...   (Associated Press)
President Bush pauses as he answers questions on the Protect America Act, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. The president said he will delay his five-nation trip to Africa if necessary to help members of the House pass a bill governing U....
President Bush pauses as he answers questions on the "Protect America Act", Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. The president said he will delay his five-nation...   (Associated Press)
President Bush waves after signing a 15-day extension of the Protect America Act after his speech, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, in Las Vegas. Sternly prodding Congress, President Bush said that lawmakers are jeopardizing the nation's safety by failing to lock in a government eavesdropping law. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
President Bush waves after signing a 15-day extension of the Protect America Act after his speech, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, in Las Vegas. Sternly prodding Congress, President Bush said that lawmakers...   (Associated Press)
House Republicans stage a walkout on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, as Democrats considered a resolution that would hold some of President Bush's former aides in contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions before the House Judiciary Committee. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
House Republicans stage a walkout on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, as Democrats considered a resolution that would hold some of President Bush's former aides in contempt of Congress...   (Associated Press)
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More on the GOP walkout
Baltimore Sun

Read a transcript of Bush's speech
Washington Post

 
Nancy Pelosi • House of Representatives • Steny Hoyer • contempt of congress • Protect America Act • George W. Bush

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