While You Were Sleeping
Posted on | August 4, 2007
All those crazy powers extended to intelligence services for eavesdropping on terror suspects? The ones a new Democratic majority might be expected to rein in–but certainly not to extend?
The US Senate Friday voted to extend the power of US intelligence agents to eavesdrop on terror suspects, in a victory for the White House after a tense showdown with congressional Democrats.
Democratic leaders balked at White House terms for a deal, but the Senate went ahead and passed a Republican bill which reflected President George W. Bush’s requests.
The controversy centered on a program designed to listen in on telephone and email conversations mainly outside the United States, but routed through US-based communications firms.
Senators voted to permit intelligence officers to listen in to such conversations without obtaining prior approval from a special court.
The House of Representatives voted against a Democratic party alternative, but could vote on the version passed in the Senate, which provides rules which expire within six months, in the next few days.
Same as the old boss.
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