Posted on 03/02/2008 11:24:16 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
WASHINGTON The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee hinted Sunday that a battle over an expired eavesdropping law might be moving toward a conclusion that gave phone companies the retroactive legal protections long sought by President Bush.
The chairman, Representative Silvestre Reyes, Democrat of Texas, said in an interview on CNN that the committee had been talking to the companies because if were going to give them blanket immunity, we want to know and understand what it is were giving immunity for.
Mr. Reyes did not specify what provisions a House bill might contain. But his use of the words blanket immunity suggested that he might be moving toward a Senate bill, backed by Mr. Bush, that would protect phone companies that assisted in a federal program of wiretapping without warrants after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
I have an open mind about that, Mr. Reyes said.
Were very close, he added. Probably within the next week, well be able to move hopefully to bring it to a vote.
The eavesdropping law, which expired Feb. 16, made it easier for the government to initiate wiretaps without court approval. Mr. Bush has said its expiration creates a national security risk, while Democrats say the government can continue current wiretaps and start new ones through other legal means.
The main point of the dispute over renewing the legislation concerns whether to immunize phone companies from at least 40 lawsuits that allege their actions after 9/11 violated privacy laws.
Theyre getting sued for billions of dollars and its not fair, Mr. Bush said on Feb. 25. And it will create doubt amongst private-sector folks who need to help protect us.
Mr. Bush has also said that allowing the lawsuits to proceed could disclose government secrets and damage national security.
The Senate passed a bill on Feb. 11 ......
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
The Trial Lawyers are gonna be upset....
Ha ha, sounds like the ‘Rats have caved if this article can be believed. Pelosi is all bluster, or all hat and no cattle as Shrillary (the true Texan) would say!!!
Heartbreak Alert on the Left: FISA deal rumor
They have a scheme to camouflage the vote....see the link....
The dim Dems had better develop 20/20 vision. It’s a lot more difficult being the “party in power”, rather than just a bunch of nattering, naysaying, dissemblers in the minority. Along with the little bit of glory that goes with the job, comes ALL the responsibility.
Maybe we ought to be bugging the TRAIL LAWYERS’ lines.
It goes without saying that she isn’t a true anything let alone a true Texan. After living there for nearly 25 years I found myself muttering “Git a rope” when I heard her foolishly say “You all”. Any Texan would tell you that’s a Yankee trying to blend in. Natives say “Y’all”.
Deal Close on Wiretap Law, a Top Democrat Tells CNN...
as usual..it is on cnn....
the lib/dems are more interested in headlines than the USA...piglosi and crew are true anti-american a-holes!!!!
... or the polling results came back from the focus groups.
Bond information is $550,000...small error but the post is true.
“American Patriot”
What did this Patriot do? If he was being Patriotic I’m sure he would not have been involved with Ricin at any level.. hmmm
Economic Stimulus passed. Check.
Missile Defense satellite kill. Check.
al-Libi smoked in Afghanistan. Check.
Wiretap immunity. Check.
In short, Bush wins again.
That is excellent!
True but what damage I wonder has been done to our Intel while the Rats fiddled? These people are real patriots, huh??
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