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Partisan Dispute On Spying Heats Up

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By DAN EGGEN, The Washington Post

Published: October 11, 2007

WASHINGTON - President Bush and other Republicans stepped up their attacks on Democratic legislation that would require more oversight of surveillance within U.S. borders that is directed at foreign targets, escalating a partisan battle over the boundaries of U.S. spying.

In separate votes along party lines, the House judiciary and intelligence committees approved bills that would require the government to get approval from a special intelligence court for blanket surveillance of targets overseas.

Supporters say the legislation is needed to safeguard the rights of innocent U.S. citizens who may be caught up in such surveillance.

Bush warned that he would not sign the Democratic legislation unless it gives U.S. telecommunications firms retroactive immunity from lawsuits for lending assistance in counterterrorism investigations after the Sept. 11 attacks.

The president argued the Democratic proposals 'would take us backward' from temporary surveillance legislation enacted in August under heavy GOP pressure. The White House wants to make that law, known as the Protect America Act, permanent.

'Congress must make a choice,' Bush said. 'Will they keep the intelligence gap closed by making this law permanent? Or will they limit our ability to collect this intelligence and keep us safe, staying a step ahead of the terrorists who want to attack us?'

It is unclear whether Democrats could muster the votes to survive a presidential veto. Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., a member of the House Intelligence Committee, accused Bush of playing 'the fear card ... to stampede Congress.'

'Time for a deep breath, Mr. President,' Harman said. 'The point is not whether to conduct surveillance but to do it right, without throwing out the Fourth Amendment,' which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

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