Senate Passes Critical National Security Bill
by
Chris Adkins
on Wed 13 Feb 2008 12:16 PM EST
The Washington Times reports on Senate passage of a critical piece of national security legislation, allowing the government to track the electronic communications of terrorists operating overseas. The bi-partisan bill passed by the Senate was supported by 19 Senate Democrats, but was opposed by leaders of the Senate Majority.
"It is a bill that protects the country," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican. "It is a bill that will be signed into law."
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The original 1978 FISA law requires the government to obtain a warrant from a special court to conduct foreign intelligence surveillance in the U.S. But changes in telecommunications technology have forced the government to sometimes obtain warrants to spy abroad, because foreign phone calls and other electronic communications now often travel through U.S. networks.
The Senate passed the overall FISA bill by a vote of 68-29. No Republicans voted against the bills, while 19 Democrats supported it.
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"In the face of politically motivated pressure from the radical left, the Senate passed a good, bipartisan bill that will help keep America safe by closing the terrorist loophole in our nation's surveillance laws," said House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican. "After months of stalling, House Democratic leaders should bring it up for a vote immediately."
