Bush signs intelligence surveillance bill
Legal News Feed
President Bush on Sunday signed into law an expansion of the government's power to eavesdrop on foreign terror suspects without the need for warrants.
The law, approved by the Senate and the House just before Congress adjourned for its summer break, was deemed a priority by Bush and his chief intelligence officials.
Bush signed the bill into law on Sunday afternoon at his retreat at Camp David, Md.
"When our intelligence professionals have the legal tools to gather information about the intentions of our enemies, America is safer," Bush said. "And when these same legal tools also protect the civil liberties of Americans, then we can have the confidence to know that we can preserve our freedoms while making America safer."
The administration said the measure is needed to speed the National Security Agency's ability to intercept phone calls, e-mails and other communications involving foreign nationals "reasonably believed to be outside the United States."
The law is designed to capture communications that pass through the United States.
Civil liberties groups and many Democrats say it goes too far, possibly enabling the government to wiretap U.S. residents communicating with overseas parties without adequate oversight from courts or Congress.
The new law updates the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and it will expire in six months unless Congress renews it. Bush wants deeper, permanent changes.
"We must remember that our work is not done," Bush prodded. "This bill is a temporary, narrowly focused statute to deal with the most immediate shortcomings in the law."
Related listings
-
US Senate panel backs FDA tobacco regulation bill
Legal News Feed 08/02/2007A Senate committee Wednesday embraced legislation that would for the first time allow federal regulation of cigarettes.The bill, approved 13-8 by the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, would require the Food and Drug Administration to r...
-
GOP senator wants probe; Spitzer says no
Legal News Feed 07/31/2007Gov. Eliot Spitzer said there is no need for a deeper investigation into his aides' roles in a scheme to discredit a lead political rival, something the head of the Senate Investigations Committee called for Monday. "Given that the attorney general a...
-
Democrats Urge Perjury Probe of Gonzales
Legal News Feed 07/26/2007[##_1L|1072400863.jpg|width="140" height="135" alt=""|_##]Senate Democrats called for a perjury investigation against Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on Thursday and subpoenaed top presidential aide Karl Rove in a deepening political and legal clas...
Victorville CA DUI defense Attorneys
The outcome of a DUI defense will have a long-term effect on anyone’s life, making the decision to receive legal representation an easy one. The fact is, most people accused of a DUI are first offenders with no criminal background. Whether this is your first run in with the law or you have had previous convictions, you are in need of a DUI defense attorney.
The charges you are facing for a DUI range from fines, a 12-month suspension on your license and worst-case scenario, prison time. Your attorney will be able to analyze your situation to decide the best way to go about your case.
Our attorneys know the tricky ways to challenge all of the DUI tests and know how to claim improper collection of evidence. We will be able to negotiate on your behalf and free you from charges and help you keep your drivers license. The DUI process can last up to several months, we can make this process easier on you. .