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House defies Bush over wiretaps Bush warns Congress on wiretaps
(about 1 hour later)
The US House of Representatives has ignored a warning by President George W Bush and extended the bill allowing the wiretapping of foreign terror suspects. US President George W Bush has told Congress he will not accept another temporary bill allowing warrantless wiretapping of foreign terror suspects.
Mr Bush had said he wanted Congress to approve legislation which was permanent and provide retroactive immunity to telephone companies that co-operated. Mr Bush said he wanted Congress to approve legislation which was permanent and provide retroactive immunity to telephone companies that co-operated.
"The time for debate is over," Mr Bush told reporters at the White House. The current legislation, last extended in August, will expire on Saturday.
But the House defied him and gave itself a further 21 days to review a bill passed by the Senate on Tuesday. Congress remains deadlocked over whether to extend it or adopt a revised bill passed by the Senate on Tuesday.
The Protect America Act, which amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, allows the authorities to tap phone calls and e-mails to or from the US without requiring a warrant, as long as the target is abroad. After a day of debate on Wednesday, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives voted against a tactical move to extend the temporary legislation for another 21 days.
Previously, they had to seek approval from a special court. It is time for Congress to pass a law that provides a long-term foundation to protect our country and they must do so immediately US President George W Bush class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/4536018.stm">Q&A: US surveillance row
The act did not, however, grant immunity to the telecommunication companies who have been co-operating with the government since it was passed. The Protect America Act, which amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, allows the US authorities to tap into phone calls and e-mails to or from the United States, as long as the target is abroad.
Previously, they had to seek approval from a special court in advance.
The act did not, however, grant immunity to the telecommunication companies who have been co-operating with the government since it was passed in 2001.
Several lawsuits have since been filed against them by campaigners for collaborating with the US authorities and violating privacy laws.Several lawsuits have since been filed against them by campaigners for collaborating with the US authorities and violating privacy laws.
'Flow of intelligence''Flow of intelligence'
On Tuesday, the Senate approved full legislation which would authorise the surveillance of foreign terror suspects for another six years and included the provision of immunity for telecommunication companies.On Tuesday, the Senate approved full legislation which would authorise the surveillance of foreign terror suspects for another six years and included the provision of immunity for telecommunication companies.
It is time for Congress to pass a law that provides a long-term foundation to protect our country and they must do so immediately US President George W Bush class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/4536018.stm">Q&A: US surveillance row Speaking at a news conference in the Oval Office, Mr Bush said he would not accept another extension, insisting Congress should pass permanent legislation before the current law expires at midnight on Saturday.
Speaking at a news conference in the Oval Office, President Bush urged the House of Representatives to approve the Senate's proposal before the current bill was due to expire, saying he would not accept another extension.
"It's time for Congress to ensure the flow of vital intelligence is not disrupted," Mr Bush said alongside the Director of National Intelligence, Mike McConnell."It's time for Congress to ensure the flow of vital intelligence is not disrupted," Mr Bush said alongside the Director of National Intelligence, Mike McConnell.
"It is time for Congress to pass a law that provides a long-term foundation to protect our country and they must do so immediately.""It is time for Congress to pass a law that provides a long-term foundation to protect our country and they must do so immediately."
Mr Bush also stressed the importance of giving companies retroactive immunity from prosecution for co-operating with the government without court approval.Mr Bush also stressed the importance of giving companies retroactive immunity from prosecution for co-operating with the government without court approval.
"We need the co-operation of telecommunications companies," he said. "If these companies are subjected to lawsuits costing billions of dollars, they won't participate, they won't help us.""We need the co-operation of telecommunications companies," he said. "If these companies are subjected to lawsuits costing billions of dollars, they won't participate, they won't help us."
However, later on Wednesday the House of Representatives voted by 206 to 199 to extend the current Protect America Act by three weeks in order to allow further discussions. But Senate Democratic majority leader Harry Reid accused President Bush of "bullying".
The chairman of the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, John Conyers, has said he opposes giving telecommunication companies immunity. "This is yet more proof that President Bush and his Republican allies are more interested in politicising intelligence than they are about finding real solutions," he said.
"There is no basis for the broad telecommunications company amnesty provisions advocated by the administration," he wrote in an letter to White House Counsel Fred Fielding.