Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

House Rejects Immunity for Telecoms Again

Lawmakers OK surveillance bill, brush off threat of Bush veto

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 14, 2008 3:10 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – The House again spurned President Bush today, passing a version of an anti-terrorism surveillance bill that does not grant retroactive immunity to the telecom companies that participated in the government's warrantless-wiretapping program. The vote was 213-197, far less than the two-thirds majority needed to override a promised presidential veto, Reuters reports, and followed an unusual secret session convened last night.

Republican lawmakers insisted on secrecy to protect classified information, but Democrats were unmoved. "We probably could have gone and eaten together at McDonald's, and it would have had just as much effectiveness," a Louisiana lawmaker told the Washington Post. After the vote, the Justice Department and Director of National Intelligence struck back in a joint statement: "We are concerned that the proposal would not provide the intelligence community the critical tools needed to protect the country."

President Bush walks from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 13, 2008, to make a statement on FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) legislation on the South Lawn.
President Bush walks from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 13, 2008, to make a statement on FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) legislation on the South Lawn....   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich, asks a question of a witness, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh)
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich, asks a question of a witness, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh)   (AP Photo)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh, FILE)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh, FILE)   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

House Democrats await Bush veto
Wall Street Journal

Surveillance conflict continues on Capitol Hill
New York Times

 
National Security Agency • FISA • Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act • warrantless wiretapping • immunity • telecommunications companies • George W. Bush

More Newser Stories

Democrats Withdraw Spy Bill

Yoo: Wiretaps Were Legal and Necessary

Senate passes FISA, 69-28

As Congress Caves on FISA, Coalition Urges Fighting Back

Mukasey Open to Spy Bill Deal
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne