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Senate Backs Expanding Government Spying, Immunizing Telecoms

HeadlineFeb 13, 2008

The Senate has voted to re-authorize the Bush administration’s domestic surveillance program while granting immunity to major telecommunications companies that have taken part. The bill would make permanent an earlier measure expanding government authority to eavesdrop on the international telephone calls and email messages of U.S. citizens without warrants. The Senate passed the measure by a 68-29 vote. Seventeen Democrats joined with Republicans to vote against an amendment that would have removed the immunity provision from the bill. But final passage is not guaranteed — the House version passed last year excludes granting immunity to the telecom companies. Lawmakers will be forced to negotiate as President Bush has vowed not to sign another extension after a temporary law expires on Friday. In a statement, Democratic Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin appealed to the House, saying, “The Senate, with the help of too many Democrats, is yet again giving the administration sweeping new powers — and letting it off the hook for its illegal wiretapping program… Congress should stand up for the American people and the Constitution by opposing such a badly flawed bill.”

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