Congressional Democrats are acknowledging President Bush’s broad new spying powers approved this month could be even more extensive than initially claimed. Ambiguous language defining “electronic surveillance” means the so-called Protect America Act of 2007 could go well beyond wiretapping to permit physical searches and financial record gathering — all without court approval. The admission comes amidst news the Bush administration has privately said it won’t be held to those limits the legislation does set on surveillance activities. The New York Times reports Justice Department officials refused repeated entreaties to commit to following congressional rules at a private meeting last week. Participants in the meeting say Assistant Attorney General for National Security Ken Wainstein told former Justice Department lawyer Bruce Fein the administration does not consider itself bound by congressional restrictions.