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August 20, 2008 5:16:15 PM CDT

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House Passes Compromise FISA Bill

Posted Jun 20, 08 3:45 PM CDT in Politics,  US 

(Newser) – The House today approved a bill updating FISA law and granting qualified immunity to telecom companies that aided the Bush administration in warrantless wiretapping. A majority of Democrats opposed the bill, which passed 293-129. Nancy Pelosi supported the measure despite serious reservations because it refutes the administration's argument about "inherent authority," the Washington Post reports.

"There is no inherent authority of the president to do whatever he wants," said the House Speaker. "This is a democracy."

Source Washington Post

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House Minority Leader John Boehner.   (AP Photo/Dennis Cook, File)
In this March 13, 2008 file photo, President Bush makes a statement on FISA.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, file)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. smiles during her weekly news conference, Thursday, June 5, 2008, on Capitol Hill in Washington.   (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
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House of Representatives  • Nancy Pelosi  • warrantless wiretapping  • FISA  • telecom immunity


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