Senate Approves Intelligence Bill Expanding FBI Authority to Demand Busine

[soup]

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate gave final approval Friday to a measure that will make it easier for FBI agents investigating terrorism to demand financial records from casinos, car dealerships and other businesses.
The changes were part of a bill authorizing 2004 intelligence programs. The Senate approved the bill in a voice vote. The House approved the bill 264-163 Thursday, and it now goes to President Bush for his signature.

Most details of the bill are secret, including the total costs of the programs, estimated to be about $40 billion. The amount is slightly more than Bush had requested, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Porter Goss said Thursday.

In one of the public sections, the bill expands the number of businesses from which the FBI and other U.S. authorities conducting intelligence work can demand financial records without seeking court approval.

Under current law, "national security letters" can be issued to traditional financial institutions, such as banks and credit unions, to require them to turn over information. The bill expands the definition of financial institution to include other businesses that deal with large amounts of cash.
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGASKLLKAND.html

Are we having fun yet? Holy Moley, this is frightening.

[aquart]

1. Bet they don't ask any Republican run businesses.

[Khephra]

2. a voice vote???

COCKROACHES! They know it's wrong and that it would hurt them in the future, so they don't even want their fingerprints on this bill.

F**K them!

[Vadem]

3. I heard the voice vote this morning...

There were only a handful of Senators on the floor when Pat Roberts and John Rockefeller each asked unanimous consent because neither side had any objections to it! Bastards! We ought to shut down the Senate phone lines with outrage!