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Home Front: Politix
House Rejects Democratic Terrorist Surveillance Spy Bill
2007-08-04
WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress and the White House struggled Friday over expanding authority to eavesdrop on suspected foreign terrorists in a high-stakes showdown over national security. The House rejected a Democratic proposal opposed by President Bush that would give him that authority for only four months. The largely party-line vote in favor of the bill was 218-207.
Not completely party-line then, as a few Blue Dogs had to have crossed over.
Senate Democrats, meanwhile, prepared to concede to a bill supported by the White House limiting that authority to six months. It also would allow the director of national intelligence and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to carry out the expanded eavesdropping for four months before a court signs off on it.

The House vote left the bill's fate in doubt. ``I hope that there are no attacks before we are able to effectively update this important act,'' said Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee.

Bush earlier Friday coupled his demand for legislation with a threat to veto any bill that his intelligence director deemed unable ``to prevent an attack on the country.'' ``We've worked hard and in good faith with the Democrats to find a solution, but we are not going to put our national security at risk,'' Bush said after meeting with counterterror and homeland security officials at FBI headquarters. ``Time is short.''

Presidents have authority to call Congress back in session from a recess, but the last time it was used was in 1948, by Harry Truman.
Oh, that would crinkle the Dhimmis' panties. Have Bush put them on the spot like that? Heh.
Posted by:Steve White

#5  I keep saying that the quickest way of ending political opposition over surveillance for tracking down domestic Muslim radicals is by forcing all politicians to fly on commercial passenger carriers. They can go first class, they can bump us regular Joes all they want, but NO MORE special military flights or use of private air transportation. You would see bills like this pass unopposed and profiling would be put in place faster than the devil can get his shoes on.
Posted by: Zenster   2007-08-04 21:48  

#4  If they really struggle, maybe they will have a "sleep-over." Hey, I don't have much sympathy for Congress and their difficulties. I wish they [Congress] would consider the difficulties our military guys and gals experience in far away places.
Posted by: JohnQC   2007-08-04 09:59  

#3  Congress and the White House struggled Friday over expanding authority to eavesdrop on suspected foreign terrorists in a high-stakes showdown over national security.

How are they "struggling"? The White House wants expanded authority and, despite the Dems best efforts to limit it, Congress granted it.
Posted by: AT   2007-08-04 04:20  

#2  Yup, call 'em back.

Day after a few dozen recess appointments :-)
Posted by: Steve White   2007-08-04 01:48  

#1  It would just be so fun, to watch Bush call Congress back from their recess. They've all complained about Iraqis, during 120-130 degree weather, taking a break. (I'm on break with those kind of temps)

Hummmm have to go check my Texas history to see if Bush ever called state Congress back in session. It does happen, often.

Texas's legislative branch of government meets every other year (yea it's got its pluses and minus, don't spend as much money, but when in session, it's spend, spend, spend) The only real power a Texas Gov has is calling back this legislative branch to an extended service.

It's such political fun, to see, will the Gov do it or not? Power play comes at the end of the Congressional session. The Gov didn't get what he wants, so he calls the state Congress back in session for a month. Still doesn't get it? Calls them back for another month.

Memory serves me, Bush didn't have to do it.... cause he had some sane Democrats, ala Bob Bullock, to deal with. Could do some Texas dealin' and folks agreed.

Thought he could bring that to Washington..... he tried it.... got stabbed in the back, more than once.... Kept thinking..... the Texas way...

I think he is finally learning, Washington just doesn't work the Texas way.

Man -- would it ever drive the Netroots nuts, if Bush called Congress back into session? Got to wonder, what impeachable offense he would commit in doing this?

Kinda wish he would do it.... just cause... this US Congress of ours, has just got to get a grip......

My early leaning, that now seems to come from some foreign century, taught me than was a sharing a power, for that thing called "checks and balance."

Lately.... Congress seems to think, they rule. But the really frighting thing is, it's not "Congress" as a collective rule, it's the individuals that think they have the power over the presidency....

Such as, a Demo House Pres of the night, gravelled the vote to a close.... then opened it back up to only Democrats...

Deep down in their hearts, some of them, reached in, and found the power to bring that vote to 218-207. Are the Blue Dogs maybe getting the message from those that voted them in?
Posted by: Sherry   2007-08-04 01:39  

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