Wiretapping and Congress

As an addendum to an earlier article I wrote, the House passed a bill 232-191 on Friday, September 29, that would allow warrantless eavesdropping of terror suspects. The House version of this bill would allow the Bush Administration to conduct eavesdropping and wiretapping on the grounds that administration officials contact congressional leaders ahead of time, that proof of an imminent threat be given ahead of time, and that the president renew certification every 90 days. While Bush and company did not receive everything they wanted in this bill, they certainly have to be excited that the House condones their efforts in the war on terror. The Senate may deal with this issue on its last day (Saturday, September 30) in session before the midterm elections, though they have a busy docket.

While the provisions in the House bill give a nod toward congressional oversight, the Senate still has to pass the bill or send its own version to conference committee. Further compromises could weaken the bill's current form and give more leeway to the Bush Administration and the NSA in determining targets for wiretapping. Judge Anna Diggs Taylor has already ruled against the administration and put a hold on the NSA surveillance program but this new law is meant to soften the legal blow against the program. One can only imagine that this issue, like the detainee issue, will reach the Supreme Court for clarification.