US News
House passes terrorist surveillance bill
Jun 20, 2008, 18:56 GMT
Washington - The US House of Representatives passed a bill Friday authorizing the Bush administration to eavesdrop on Americans in an effort to prevent terrorist attacks.
The House voted 193-129 on the bill allowing the intelligence community to use broad warrants to listen in on foreign targets and could tap into US communications in some cases without a warrant - if it is determined that important national security operations would be lost.
Republican and Democratic leaders reached a deal after more than a year of wrangling with the Bush administration, which argues that the practice is vital to protect the country from terrorist attacks.
The legislation, known as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, gives legal immunity to telephone companies that receive valid government requests to participate in the eavesdropping.
Majority Democrats touted the compromise as a success that assists national security while protecting the rights of US citizens. The Senate is expected to take up the bill next week.
House Democrats in February allowed a temporary surveillance measure to expire.
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Older Talkback
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It's not about Bush, it's about protecting our country and its people, and our Constitution.
Tell me one leader/ political/ religeous/teacher icon who does not lie, is not multifaced hypocrite!!! So are the democrats, indepenedents and republicans top the list anyways!!!
The democrats are not so stupid to cut off the hands of their next whitehouse hopeful, that he won't be able to suppress the immigrants!
The forefathers of most if not all Americans were robber/pirates/criminals/mass murderers etc. So suppression of the weak and disabled is their standard of life. Democracy and people's government is the most oppressive in America.
We have talked to many people in USA, and they fear the government like they should fear God Almighty, Who created this plannet earth!!!
The guy above owns a tinfoil hat, to be sure.
The forefathers of most if not all Americans were robber/pirates/criminals/mass murderers etc
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Me thinks you have your countries mixed up there bucko
Most that settled here in the beginning , came here for religious freedom---Something I would guess you know nothing about.Why don't you get a book and read about it while you clean the camel dung off your feet, MoMo Sandinthepants
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SP4: Bush....Jun 20th, 2008 - 20:43:58
...a 30% approval rating and he still gets his legislation passed.
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