Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 10:57:53 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Bush Chides House Dems for Law Expiration

Posted Feb 16, 08 2:30 PM CST in US 

(Newser) – With a law that expands the government's power to eavesdrop due to expire at midnight, President Bush scolded Congress today for sitting idly by and allowing it to happen. Bush said Congress' failure to act could cause the US to “lose a vital lead that could prevent an attack,” the AP reports. Democrats accused Bush of "whipping up false fears."

Bush refused to sign a temporary extension of the bill, prompting Dems to blame him for the law’s expiration. “Make no mistake,” charged one Democratic senator, “if any intelligence loss results, it is President Bush's choice." Instead of renewing the bill, the House approved contempt citations against two Bush confidants—infuriating White House officials.

Source Associated Press

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Mukasey Nixes Bush Aides Contempt Case

    Mar 1, 08 5:12 AM CST
    Mukasey Nixes Bush Aides Contempt Case A  showdown over executive privilege got more likely yesterday when Attorney General Michael Mukasey said he wouldn't pursue contempt charges against two Bush aides, Reuters reports. Mukasey rejected the request from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to refer the case to a grand jury, arguing that they had committed no crime by refusing to testify to Congress about the controversial firing of 9 US prosecutors. More »

  • Bush Favors Tax Rebates for Stimulus

    Jan 17, 08 8:22 PM CST
    Bush Favors Tax Rebates for Stimulus President Bush's plan to give the economy a temporary lift favors tax rebates of up to $800 for individuals and tax breaks for businesses, the AP reports. Bush met privately with lawmakers today and will outline his plan tomorrow. Congress hopes to act quickly as fears of a recession grow. The president did not push for a permanent extension of his tax cuts, the AP notes. More »

  • House Committee Charges Bush Aides With Contempt

    Jul 25, 07 3:16 PM CDT
    House Committee Charges Bush Aides With Contempt The House Judiciary Committee voted to issue contempt citations to two of President Bush's top aides for defying subpoenas related to the US attorney firings scandal, edging Congress closer to a Constitutional showdown with the White House over its claims of executive privilege. The committee voted along party lines 22-17 to charge Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten and former counsel Harriet Miers. More »

  • Bush Caves On Iraq Benchmarks

    May 10, 07 4:22 PM CDT
    Bush Caves On Iraq Benchmarks In an abrupt about-face, President Bush said today he will negotiate with Congress about including benchmarks for the Iraqi government in war-spending legislation. With discontent mounting on both sides of the aisle, he emerged from a Pentagon briefing on Iraq and Afghanistan and said, "It makes sense to have benchmarks as part of our discussion." More »

President Bush pauses as he talks about the Northern Illinois University shooting, Friday, Feb. 15, 2008, during his meeting with Republican Congressional leaders in the Oval Office of the White House...   (Associated Press)
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., defended the House's decision to allow a surveillance law lapse without extending it. "We know this president dislikes compromise, but this time he has taken his stubborn...   (Associated Press)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her fellow House members left for a 12-day recess without extending a controversial surveillance law that President Bush encouraged lawmakers to extend permanently, the...   (Associated Press)
House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, left, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., right, speak to reporters outside the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 15, 2008, after meeting...   (Associated Press)
President Bush gestures during his meeting with Republican Congressional leaders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 15, 2008. Bush and congressional Democrats have been...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

George W. Bush • Congress • Nancy Pelosi • terrorist attack • Harriet Miers • House Democrats • Josh Bolten • Protect America Act • electronic surveillance laws • Sheldon Whitehouse



Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other US Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »