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Bush Chides House Dems for Law Expiration

Eavesdropping measure expires at midnight

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 16, 2008 2:30 PM CST
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(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.

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 in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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)
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 locked in a standoff over the government's authority to spy on foreign phone calls and e-mails that pass through the...
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)
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 approach too far, Whitehouse said. He is whipping up false fears, and creating artificial confrontation. Make no mistake:...
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 AP reports. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh)
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 with President Bush in the Oval Office to discuss the Protect America Act. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
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)
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Law expiration is Dems' most forceful challenge to Bush
New York Times

Dems: Bush already has all the tools he needs
Los Angeles Times

'We all should be very scared'
Wired

US

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

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