Washington - The United States House of Representatives
approved a measure late Saturday that would grant government agencies
more leeway to spy on suspected terrorists.
The measure would broaden the ability to monitor communications of
those with suspected ties to terrorism, without seeking court
warrants.
The House acted after the Senate voted late Friday, completing the
legislation before Congress adjourns this weekend for a scheduled
summer break.
The measure now heads to the White House for presidential
approval.
US President George W Bush, in a statement issued late Saturday,
vowed to quickly sign the legislation, which he said would 'close a
critical gap in our intelligence collection.' He had vowed to veto a
version defeated Friday in the Senate that would have still required
court warrants.
Some centre-left Democrats, who control Congress, joined Bush's
centre-right Republicans in supporting the broader wiretapping
measure.
The measure will be valid for six months, before Congress must
reauthorize it or hammer out new legislation on the matter.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after the vote that the measure
contains many 'unacceptable' provisions that ought to be corrected
before the six-month law expires. She called for congressional
hearings starting in September to work on further legislation.
In his statement, Bush told Congress that 'we need to work
together on additional reforms' starting in September when
legislators return from their recess.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
NoharnessAug 5th, 2007 - 04:31:04
I've been watching them on C-SPAN off and on all day today. They AIN'T gettin' along too well. The last few hours the GOOPERS have been giving the Demmies a horrible time about earmarks and asking oodles and oodles of embarrassing questions. I'm beginning to think that they will be at it hammer and tongs for the rest of the night.
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