Congressional Republicans Mincing Toward Presidential Veto

Bill Would Allow Warrantless Spying
GOP Plan Would Bring Surveillance Under Review of Congress, FISA Court

By Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 17, 2006; Page A05

The Bush administration could continue its policy of spying on targeted Americans without obtaining warrants, but only if it justifies the action to a small group of lawmakers, under legislation introduced yesterday by key Republican senators.

The four senators hope to settle the debate over National Security Agency eavesdropping on international communications involving Americans when one of the parties is suspected of terrorist ties. President Bush prompted a months-long uproar when he said that constitutional powers absolve him of the need to seek warrants in such cases, even though the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act requires warrants for domestic wiretaps.

The program, begun in 2001, was first publicized late last year.

The bill would allow the NSA to eavesdrop, without a warrant, for up to 45 days per case, at which point the Justice Department would have three options. It could drop the surveillance, seek a warrant from FISA's court, or convince a handful of House and Senate members that although there is insufficient evidence for a warrant, continued surveillance "is necessary to protect the United States," according to a summary the four sponsors provided yesterday. They are Mike DeWine (Ohio), Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.), Chuck Hagel (Neb.) and Olympia J. Snowe (Maine).

All but Graham are members of the sharply divided intelligence committee, whose Democratic members have unsuccessfully sought an investigation into the NSA program. Hagel and Snowe threatened last month to join the Democrats' request unless the administration and Congress agreed on a way to bring the wiretap program under the review of FISA's court and Congress.

It is far from clear whether the bill can win passage. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) -- whose panel plays a major role in the surveillance matter -- pointed his thumb down yesterday when asked about the measure. He said he particularly objects to letting the government "do whatever the hell it wants" for 45 days without seeking judicial or congressional approval.

"A plague on all your houses [with apologies, William]." This is a bill which the President should and hopefully will veto if it ever makes it to his desk. It is a blatant move by Congress to garner to itself powers which are not in it's purview.

The President is not doing anything that has not been done by his predecessors, nor is he doing anything beyond the scope of his office. FISA was a clear over-reach by a Democrat Congress frustrated with the activities of President Nixon and their inability to reign him in during his Presidency. This bill is a knee-jerk reaction by a Congress with a painfully myopic view of history and Republicans who are running in fear of what the mainstream media (MSM) might say about them through the upcoming elections.

It is as if there have been no elections in the past by which they can judge the MSM's previous behavior toward them. Hint for the clueless...No matter what you do, you will not get a fair shake from the propaganda wing of the DNC. Are you too dumb to figure that out? These Republican mice need to squeak their way back into being men.

The American do not respect wimpy wannabe Liberals. If they lean that way, they have enough of the real thing. What they respect, and will always respect, are men and women of principle who stand up and fight for that which they know to be right.

Full Story: "Damn the MSM, full speed ahead!" [With apologies]

What do you think?

To leave your opinion click on the word "COMMENT(S)" below