Submission + - Controversial wiretap law passed through the House (cnn.com)
guruevi writes: "The controversial wiretap law which has had quite some coverage here on Slashdot and created an outcry with people concerned about their privacy has finally been passed through the House and is now going to the Senate. The law will grant retroactive immunity to the telecom industry which has aided the Bush Administration and 3-letter agencies with illegal wiretaps and will legalize such wiretaps.
For future wiretaps, the new measure would require a special court set up under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to approve any effort to spy on Americans. Authorities could act for up to seven days before seeking a warrant — more than twice the three-day emergency period under the current secret laws and courts.
The House vote was 293-129, with 188 Republicans and 105 Democrats voting for it. One Republican voted against the measure.
Bush said the legislation will "allow our intelligence professionals to quickly and effectively monitor the plans of terrorists abroad while protecting the liberties of Americans here at home." He's also fearmongering by saying that 'the enemy' that attacked us at 9/11 will attack again and this legislation will allow
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-West Virginia, said the bill would prevent administration officials from conducting any new warrantless surveillance. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, said the new plan is "not perfect" but "strikes a sound balance" between intelligence-gathering and civil liberties.
Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Michigan, the ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, said the intelligence community depends on "the backing of patriotic private companies."
"The telecom companies simply have to produce a piece of paper we already know exists, resulting in immediate dismissal," said Caroline Fredrickson, the head of the ACLU's Washington legislative office. She said the bill "does nothing to keep Americans safe and is a constitutional farce.""
For future wiretaps, the new measure would require a special court set up under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to approve any effort to spy on Americans. Authorities could act for up to seven days before seeking a warrant — more than twice the three-day emergency period under the current secret laws and courts.
The House vote was 293-129, with 188 Republicans and 105 Democrats voting for it. One Republican voted against the measure.
Bush said the legislation will "allow our intelligence professionals to quickly and effectively monitor the plans of terrorists abroad while protecting the liberties of Americans here at home." He's also fearmongering by saying that 'the enemy' that attacked us at 9/11 will attack again and this legislation will allow
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-West Virginia, said the bill would prevent administration officials from conducting any new warrantless surveillance. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, said the new plan is "not perfect" but "strikes a sound balance" between intelligence-gathering and civil liberties.
Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Michigan, the ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, said the intelligence community depends on "the backing of patriotic private companies."
"The telecom companies simply have to produce a piece of paper we already know exists, resulting in immediate dismissal," said Caroline Fredrickson, the head of the ACLU's Washington legislative office. She said the bill "does nothing to keep Americans safe and is a constitutional farce.""
