US House Defeats Wiretapping Bill, Senate Debate Continues

Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have blocked passage of a measure on domestic surveillance because they said it was not sufficient to protect U.S. citizens from terrorist activity.

The Friday night vote was on a Democratic bill that differed from legislation advanced by President Bush and his Republican Party.

Earlier Friday, Mr. Bush urged lawmakers to approve changes in domestic surveillance legislation before leaving Washington for a month-long recess.

The administration is seeking revisions to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which regulates the U.S. government's eavesdropping on suspected terrorists.

Under current U.S. law, a secret court reviews government surveillance. Mr. Bush has asked that the law be altered to give the U.S. attorney general and the national intelligence director power to order the interception of overseas electronic communications, including those possibly involving individuals in the U.S.

Opposition Democrats say they agree the law should not prevent the wiretapping of terrorism suspects. But the Democrats object to giving the president's controversial attorney general, Alberto Gonzales, a role in surveillance operations. The Democrats accuse the president of over-reaching for changes beyond those worked out in negotiations.

The U.S. Senate also was in session late Friday debating two bills on domestic surveillance -- one put forward by Republicans, the other by Democrats.

ENDS