These are breaking news - one less than half an hour old, the WaPo one about an hour old. Cheers.
March 7, 2006 --
Voting along party lines, the Senate Intelligence Committee voted against an investigation of the President's domestic warrantless spying program, dealing a blow to Democrats intent on learning more about the program, but also indicating they expect the White House to bow to Congressional oversight.http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=1698034&page=1
Reuters
Tuesday, March 7, 2006; 7:03 PMWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Republicans on Tuesday agreed to expand oversight of President George W. Bush's domestic spying program but rejected Democratic pressure for a broad inquiry into eavesdropping on U.S. citizens.
Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas, Republican chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said the committee voted to create a new seven-member subcommittee that would scrutinize the eavesdropping under a plan approved by the White House. ...
In addition, the White House has begun discussions with several Republican lawmakers on legislative language that could further regulate the program.
"I believe the president is prepared to sign a bill once the Congress does work its will," Roberts told reporters after a closed-door committee meeting.
"When it comes to national security, I prefer accommodation over confrontation whenever possible. We should fight the enemy. We should not fight each other."
Four Senate Republicans, all critics of the program, proposed a plan that would authorize the National Security Agency to eavesdrop without a warrant for 45 days but require the White House to justify every decision to continue beyond that timeframe.
The legislative proposal, titled the Terrorist Surveillance Act of 2006, also would force the eavesdropping program to cease after five years unless renewed by Congress.
Sen. Mike DeWine of Ohio, one of the four Republicans pressing for legislation, said the proposal was backed by Roberts and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee and accepted "in broad concept" by the White House. ...
But the Republican-controlled intelligence panel voted down a Democratic proposal for a complete investigation into the surveillance by the National Security Agency by the full 15-member intelligence committee.
Thank you Cboldt....I am so sorry that I didn't get back with you...it has been a night from heck at my house...
Nothing wrong, just lots of chaos. LOL