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House Passes Surveillance Bill

White House spying powers expanded, despite Democrats' opposition

By Sam Biddle, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 5, 2007 11:47 AM CDT

(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.

The bill permits wiretaps on conversations between domestic and overseas parties without judicial oversight. Many Democratic representatives voiced dismay at the vote: Rep. Jerrold Nadler claimed legislators were being "stampeded by fearmongering and deception," while Rep. Jane Harman predicted the bill will result in "potential unprecedented abuse of innocent Americans' privacy."

(FILES) View of the National Security Agency (NSA) in the Washington... (Getty Images (by Event))

President Bush gestures while speaking in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007, after a meeting with his Cabinet. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (Associated Press)

President Bush walks to the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007, to make a statement after a Cabinet meeting. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (Associated Press)

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House Passes Surveillance Bill

White House spying powers expanded, despite Democrats' opposition

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War on Terror • Congress • White House • privacy • surveillance • wiretap • Jerrold Nadler • Jane Harman • George W. Bush

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Bush Signs Law Expanding Wiretap Powers

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Response to editorial swift and sharp

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They change House rules to avoid a vote, angering Bush

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

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House Passes Surveillance Bill

White House spying powers expanded, despite Democrats' opposition

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

War on Terror • Congress • White House • privacy • surveillance • wiretap • Jerrold Nadler • Jane Harman • George W. Bush

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Bush Signs Law Expanding Wiretap Powers

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

Bush to Congress: Not So Fast

Prez calls on vacation-bound lawmakers to pass reform of eavesdropping law

Times Editorial Has White House Seeing Red

Response to editorial swift and sharp

Pelosi, Dems Hijack Colombia Free-Trade Deal

They change House rules to avoid a vote, angering Bush

Bush Urges Congress to Pass Surveillance Bill

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

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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What is Newser?