House Doors Closed For Security Sweep Before Private Session To Debate Surveillance Bill

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- House doors were locked Thursday night as lawmakers prepared for their first closed session in 25 years to debate surveillance legislation.

Republicans requested privacy for what they termed "an honest debate'' on the new Democratic eavesdropping bill that is opposed by the White House and most Republicans in Congress.

The private session was scheduled for nighttime so the House chamber could be swept by security personnel to make sure there were no listening or recording devices.

The last such session in the House was in 1983 on U.S. support for paramilitary operations in Nicaragua. Only five closed sessions have taken place in the House since 1825.

Many Democrats initially objected, calling it a political ploy by Republicans to delay the vote. Indeed, it did: House leaders pushed off the scheduled vote until Friday, just before taking a two-week recess. If passed, the bill would have to be approved by the Senate.

President Bush vowed to veto the House Democrats' version of the terrorist surveillance bill, saying it would undermine the nation's security.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.com/News/200803130893

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Indeed, this is the House that we democrats elected into power. Y'all proud of this?

[mike_c]

1. I hope they hold the line....

Not one inch!

[mac2]

2. It is the people's government not the representatives

decision to meet in secret. We are not a democracy when our leaders decide for us in secret. It's like they can do as they please to protect themselves from us. Who is the enemy...Spitzer?

Terrorist surveillance bill is an insult to American freedom and laws. They can get a warrant as required at the time and even after that. The terrorists have not even been ID from 911.

Germany did the same thing and ended up arresting the wrong people, etc. My ancestors fought against such tyrannical and abusive govenment...shame on you Congress and President.

It's not like they will be talking about any person,etc. so secrecy is an insult. It is not necessary (except if they lie about reasons,etc.).

Nancy Pelosi we want you out of there! How dare you lie to us about what you would do if we elected you to power.

[dweller]

3. does "an honest debate'' from Repugs

include the threats involved?

but off the record now...


dp

[mac2]

4. Like the dark of night Patriot Act

They treaten..bribe and meet in the cloak room. It is a Mafia!

[drmeow]

12. And Cheney's the Godfather n/t

[BadgerKid]

5. Off the record, past hearings not under oath...

The Republicans have had it good this administration.

[Journeyman]

6. Why can the House chamber only be swept by security personnel at nighttime. . .

can these "minions" only walk the Earth at night?

That's one of the stupidest things I've read AP report in many a year. Stenographers for Republican clowns bent only on fostering fear.

[mac2]

21. This made me laugh and it is about fear.

[Hulk]

7. Hope our legislators read blogs...cause they better show spine this time.

If the Democrats cave on this one, I'm ready to scream at them, and I would hold each and every one of the Congressmen responsible for giving this crazed lunatic more rope to hang this country with.

Get a grip!! This jackass and his choir of rubber-stampers need to be unemployed...and fast!!

[kimmylavin]

8. Hmmm...

Seems odd to have a closed session dealing with secret surveillance.

Then again, I guess it doesn't.

*sigh*
Is it fascism yet?

[lark]

24. "Is it facism yet"

Unfortunately, it's been facism since 2000 and it's destroying our constitution and country.

[grahamhgreen]

9. The President wants to protect the lawbreakers.

[lark]

25. himself and his cronies

are the only things he cares about. He knows if it becomes wide-spread knowledge that he was spying on American's phone calls prior to 9/11 he's in deep shit so he will leave no stone unturned to save his own ass.

[DCKit]

10. I thought it appropriate that the last time they pulled this shit...

it was over Nicaragua - during the time of Iran Contra, Operation Condor, Air America and the associated slaughter of hundred of thousands of Central and South American civilians by American trained/advised death squads.

It was the Red Terror (communism) then, now it's just Terra.

There may be many different theories about WHY the Resident* insists on the passage of the the Senate bill, but I doubt there is anyone on DU, the Hill or in the MSM who believes it has anything to do with national security, though the latter two will be much more diplomatic in their opinions.

[drmeow]

11. God is an iron

OK, only Spider Robinson fans will get the reference but ... isn't it ironic that the House feels the need to sweep for listening devices to debate a bill about listening devices.

[mac2]

20. Yes...ironic is it not?

[FVZA_Colonel]

13. How could the Democratic bill possibly undermine safety?

All they want to do is hold accountable those who have BROKEN THE LAW! Bush's pissy little vow to veto anything that doesn't include telecom immunity is what's putting the nation at risk.

[mac2]

17. Safety of keeping their political enemies in check.

They are at war with democracy and its people.

[judasdisney]

14. Dead of Night

Wouldn't it be funny if the Neocon-owned "security service" was planting devices under the guise of sweeping for them.

[mac2]

18. Planting secret hearing devices?

[OneBlueSky]

15. they will cave . . . they always do . . . n/t

.

[ixion]

16. if they have to close the session to have an "honest" debate, this leads to the assumption

that all "open" sessions have DISHONEST debate.

There it is, for all to see.

[mac2]

19. Or TV propaganda for the sake of the people.

[ixion]

23. same difference

both entirely dishonest.

[fed-up]

22. so they don't want to be spied on??? but they can spy???-most f*cked up headline ever...

aren't there devices that can pick up conversations from farther away than the same room?

so isn't the sweep all for show anyway?

[fascisthunter]

26. Nothing Like a Transparent Democracy

looks like the terrorists won...

[mac2]

27. Whoever the "terrorists" are. Many times the "terrorists" are

Bush's political enemies.