Bush: Surveillance Compromise Unlikely

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Bush: Surveillance Compromise Unlikely
Associated Press | February 22, 2008

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE - President Bush on Feb. 21 stood by his demand for legal protection for phone companies that help the government eavesdrop on suspected terrorists, saying he sees no prospect of a compromise with congressional Democrats.

Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, Bush renewed his call for Congress to adopt a Senate bill that would make it easier for the government to spy on foreign phone calls and e-mails that pass through the United States.

The Senate bill also adds a provision to shield cooperating telecommunications companies from liability lawsuits. Democratic leaders in the House refused to vote on the Senate bill.

The House passed its own version of the surveillance law in October and it does not include telecom immunity. Democrats want to negotiate a compromise with the Senate when lawmakers return from a 10-day recess.

Democratic staff members from the House and Senate Intelligence and Judiciary committees were meeting informally this week to work on compromise language, the committees said. Republicans are not attending the meetings because they want the Senate version of the bill, which passed 68-29, and believe that any changes to the Senate bill would make it unacceptable to the White House.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,162575,00.html