Bush to Congress: Not So Fast

Legalizes tapping calls and emails in and out of US without warrant

(NEWSER) - President Bush signed into law yesterday measures significantly expanding the government's authority to eavesdrop on millions of phone calls and e-mails going in and out of the US without warrants. The law, passed by Congress after bruising battles, effectively legalizes secret surveillance being conducted by a controversial National Security Agency eavesdropping program, the New York Times reports. More»

White House spying powers expanded, despite Democrats' opposition

(NEWSER) - A bill set to expand the government's warrantless spying program cleared the House last night by a 227-183 vote, the Washington Post reports. Many Democrats put aside profound reservations, yielding to pressure from the White House and fearing being branded "weak on terror" as the campaign heats up this fall. More»

Why the left can't seem to govern

(NEWSER) - Congressional Democrats killed Bill Clinton’s agenda, and Jimmy Carter’s agenda, and it looks like they’re gunning for Barack Obama’s, too, writes Jonathan Chait in the New Republic. George Bush didn’t win the popular vote and had just 50 GOP Senators, but was still able to enact a sweeping far-right agenda, thanks to “near-total partisan discipline”—something Democrats can’t seem to muster. More»

(NEWSER) - President Obama will overturn the Bush administration’s ban on federal funding for stem-cell research Monday, Time reports. The move fulfills a campaign promise and Obama’s pledge to bring science back to the fore in America, and will precede legislation expected later this year preventing future presidents from banning the research. Once announced, the end to the ban will be effective immediately. More»

Threat growing as House holds up bill over immunity for telecoms, prez charges

(NEWSER) - President Bush urged Congress this morning to pass an update to the terrorist surveillance bill that expired more than a week ago, CNN reports. Bush said the delay poses "a risk of opening a gap in our intelligence gathering." The bill stalled in the House over a provision granting immunity for telecommunications companies that might have turned over phone records illegally. More»