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

December 2, 2008 4:47:14 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

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

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

Related Newser Stories

  • To Succeed, Obama and Congress Must Stay Tight

    Dec 1, 08 2:31 PM CST
    To Succeed, Obama and Congress Must Stay Tight Democrats in Congress and Barack Obama want to move quickly once he assumes office, but they must pull in the same direction to achieve anything, Naftali Bendavid writes in the Wall Street Journal. “Pent-up energy among House Democrats” could test Obama’s centrist leanings, one observer notes, and history is peppered with examples of a ruling majority rent by intra-party bickering. More »

  • Pelosi Among Most Powerful of Speakers

    Nov 12, 08 3:03 PM CST
    Pelosi Among Most Powerful of Speakers Nancy Pelosi may wield her influence behind the scenes, but she is the most powerful woman in the history of US politics, Politico reports, and with recent Democratic gains in Congress, she's poised to have power few other speakers could match. Though she’s nice about it, “whatever Nancy wants, Nancy gets,” a lawmaker said. More »

  • Pelosi Urges Lame-Duck Session to Push Auto Bailout

    Nov 11, 08 5:35 PM CST
    Pelosi Urges Lame-Duck Session to Push Auto Bailout Nancy Pelosi plans to convene a lame-duck House session to vote on an expanded rescue of the auto industry, the Wall Street Journal reports. “I am confident Congress can consider emergency assistance legislation next week,” the House Speaker said. Both GM and Ford have said they are cash poor, even after the $25 billion in government loan they received prior to the election. More »

  • Obama Likely to Keep Bush Intel Policies

    Nov 11, 08 11:33 AM CST
    Obama Likely to Keep Bush Intel Policies Barack Obama isn’t likely to deliver the radical intelligence policy overhaul many civil liberty groups are craving, advisers tell the Wall Street Journal. Those advisers include former Republican supporters and centrist Clinton officials. “He’s going to take a very centrist approach,” said an ex-Bush and Clinton counterintelligence official. In particular, Obama is unlikely to curtail domestic spying, since he recently voted to expand NSA eavesdropping powers. More »

  • House Dems Wrangle Over Top Posts

    Nov 6, 08 9:40 AM CST
    House Dems Wrangle Over Top Posts Tuesday's votes were still being counted when House Democrats started wrangling over leadership positions, Politico reports. Henry Waxman has launched a challenge for chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce Committee, aiming to take out John Dingell of Michigan, whose support is eroding. Says a lobbyist: "He has done nothing on energy because he is in the pockets of the auto companies, and that hurt us this year."
    More »

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)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 3)

Tags

House of Representatives • Nancy Pelosi • warrantless wiretapping • FISA • telecom immunity


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

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 »