Congress unlikely to pass wiretapping

[sabra]

http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/politics/15613307.htm

Congress unlikely to pass wiretapping
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Congress is unlikely to approve a bill giving President Bush's warrantless wiretapping program legal status and new restrictions before the November midterm elections, dealing a significant blow to one of the White House's top wartime priorities.

House and Senate versions of the legislation differ too much to bridge the gap by week's end, when Congress recesses until after the Nov. 7 elections, according to two GOP leadership aides who demanded anonymity because the decision had not yet been announced.

House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, told reporters Tuesday that his chamber would bring up a bill by Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M. Asked whether that version could be reconciled with the Senate's White House-approved bill, Boehner replied:

"We'd like to, but I think that might be a stretch."

The Senate bill, struck by an agreement between Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter and the White House, is being reviewed by the Intelligence Committee and unlikely to receive a floor vote this week, the aides said.

[kurth]

1. Good. Kill that POS

[texpatriot2004]

2. So Heather Wilson is for wiretapping Americans nm

[opusprime]

13. I would rephrase that a little...

So Heather Wilson thinks we should do away with the 1st and 4th Ammendments of the US Constitution.

Lets call a spade a spade.

Rep. Wilson doesnt think the government needs probable cause to violate a persons right to be secure in person and in home.

She does not support the Constitution, therefore she is not qualified for office.

Heather Wilson supports the illegal eveasdropping of US Citizens.

I'll bet she supports torturing innocent terror suspects as well.

[texpatriot2004]

16. Well said nm

[datadiva]

3. Stick a fork in it, please

and the other one too while your at it.

[gratuitous]

4. Don't let your guard down

While I wouldn't put it past this nest of snakes to pass this legislation during a lame duck session (after all, the House impeached Clinton lame duck), keep the pressure on this week, and keep an eye on things. No sense getting sucker-punched by another patented GOP midnight legislation stunt. If I was a congressman, I'd have my staff drinking pots of coffee between now and adjournment, and spending every hour in the printing office, watching every piece of paper that came off the presses.

[oasis]

5. You are exactly right. (eom)

[wryter2000]

15. Will someone please think of the reptiles?

Snakes are lovely creatures. :evilgrin: Can we pick on the slugs and snails for a while?

[babylonsister]

6. Recommend Recommend Recommend Recommend Recommend Recommend Recommend Reco

[rodeodance]

7. GREAT news. Cheney will be down there twisting arms (inbetween his

stumping and raising money).

[William Bloode]

8. It's just a ploy.

After the election if they still hold power they will be right back on it. The issue is just to sticky, and would/could make the R's look bad at election time.

[DrunkenMaster]

9. and here is the proof

WASHINGTON, DC, United States (UPI) -- Revised legislation on military commissions would allow the United States to detain and try a broader range of foreign nationals.

The latest version, agreed to by Republican lawmakers and White House officials during the weekend, is less restrictive than an earlier version of the bill, The Washington Post said Tuesday.

Another provision would bar people held by the CIA or military as an unlawful enemy combatant from challenging their detention or treatment in U.S. courts unless they were tried, convicted and appealed their convictions. Critics said this provision would deny constitutional relief to this group.

The Bush administration and House allies changed the description of how the government could designate civilians as 'unlawful enemy combatants,' the Post said, citing an anonymous source. The new language would be applied to foreign nationals and U.S. citizens, the Post said. The earlier version had been scheduled for a vote this week.

Human rights activists told the newspaper they are worried that language in the new version amounts to congressional endorsement of indefinite detention of anyone who, according to the bill, 'has engaged in hostilities or who has purposefully and materially supported hostilities against the United States' or its military allies.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International

[William Bloode]

11. Yup,

Can't have stuff like that with their names on it at election time.

[mvd]

10. This is so important

And Specter just threw any bit of honor he had to the floor for Bush to step on.

[Demeter]

12. Cold Feet, Anyone?

Yeah, good time to worry--better late than never, what with Katrina, 9/11, and the stolen elections behind you.

[Qutzupalotl]

14. "dealing a significant blow" to Republican re-election chances.

If they're gathering all phone conversations and sorting through them electronically--as has been alleged--they can look anywhere for anything, even calls made by Democratic candidates and their election teams.

THAT's why the WH wanted this legislation passed. Political advantage going into the midterms.

[Hosnon]

17. I did a law research paper for a National Security class on this and it

seems very clear to me that the wiretapping program violates the IVth Amendment and there is no legislation that Congress can pass that can change that fact.

[goclark]

18. I thought they passed it last week ??