There are new developments in the debate over the Bush administration’s warrantless spying program. The Washington Post is reporting a federal intelligence court judge ruled earlier this year that a key part of the wiretap effort is illegal. The judge ruled the administration had violated its authority in trying to monitor overseas communication routed through the United States. The Bush administration has argued that all parts of the program are legal. The Washington Post reports the ruling has provided an undeclared motivation for this week’s congressional push to expand President Bush’s spying powers. Lawmakers are considering a Democratic proposal that would expand the wiretapping for another six months but keep them under jurisdiction of a secret intelligence court. Democratic leaders say they want to pass a bill before the August recess. Democratic Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin is leading calls to stall a vote until privacy concerns can be addressed.