Pelosi Seeks to Change FISA Bill
By Tim Starks
Congressional Quarterly
Despite the win President Bush scored on legislation expanding the administration's eavesdropping authority, Democrats appear determined to make it a temporary victory.
Barely an hour after the House voted, 227-183, to clear the legislation (S 1927) late Aug. 4, Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a letter calling on the Judiciary and Intelligence committees to "send to the House, as soon as possible after Congress reconvenes, legislation which responds comprehensively to the administration's proposal while addressing the many deficiencies in S 1927." The legislation expires in February.
The House vote on the surveillance bill was one of its last acts during a weekend of acrimony sparked by Republican allegations of Democratic procedural misconduct, which delayed the start of a monthlong recess. Working through numerous delays caused by Republican floor protests, the House managed to pass a defense spending bill and a major energy package and clear $250 million in aid for the Minneapolis bridge disaster before adjourning around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. The Senate adjourned Aug. 3 after passing the surveillance bill.
Pelosi's letter indicates that the tug-of-war over how much authority to give the administration to eavesdrop on suspected terrorists with little or no court oversight is far from done.
"Many provisions of this legislation are unacceptable, and although the bill has a six month sunset clause, I do not believe the American people will want to wait that long before corrective action is taken," Pelosi, D-Calif., wrote to Judiciary Chairman John Conyers Jr., D-Mich., and Intelligence Chairman Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas.
(Continued here.)
Congressional Quarterly
Despite the win President Bush scored on legislation expanding the administration's eavesdropping authority, Democrats appear determined to make it a temporary victory.
Barely an hour after the House voted, 227-183, to clear the legislation (S 1927) late Aug. 4, Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a letter calling on the Judiciary and Intelligence committees to "send to the House, as soon as possible after Congress reconvenes, legislation which responds comprehensively to the administration's proposal while addressing the many deficiencies in S 1927." The legislation expires in February.
The House vote on the surveillance bill was one of its last acts during a weekend of acrimony sparked by Republican allegations of Democratic procedural misconduct, which delayed the start of a monthlong recess. Working through numerous delays caused by Republican floor protests, the House managed to pass a defense spending bill and a major energy package and clear $250 million in aid for the Minneapolis bridge disaster before adjourning around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. The Senate adjourned Aug. 3 after passing the surveillance bill.
Pelosi's letter indicates that the tug-of-war over how much authority to give the administration to eavesdrop on suspected terrorists with little or no court oversight is far from done.
"Many provisions of this legislation are unacceptable, and although the bill has a six month sunset clause, I do not believe the American people will want to wait that long before corrective action is taken," Pelosi, D-Calif., wrote to Judiciary Chairman John Conyers Jr., D-Mich., and Intelligence Chairman Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas.
(Continued here.)
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