BIG test for Congress on new wiretap bill before February.

[kansasblue]

President Bush won expanded administration eavesdropping authority in August.

Immediately Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a letter calling on the Judiciary and Intelligence committees to “send to the House legislation which responds comprehensively to the administration’s proposal while addressing the many deficiencies in S 1927.”

http://public.cq.com/docs/cqt/news110-000002567347.html

This legislation expires in February.


So here's a big test for the Democratic Congress. The Republican can try to roadblock it with a filibuster but the advantage should be with the Democrats as stalemate in this case means the expanded powers then lapse. New legislation will be required. In other stalemates the Republican filibuster worked because it blocked action and lack of action then retain Bush's current policies. Such was the case with Senator Jim Webb's "dwell time" amendment or restoration of writ of habeas corpus.

And the Congress should now be aware that Bush will play rough. In the last round the administration was 'pretending' to work on bipartisan legislation and then at the last moment demanded complete capitulation as time ran out on congress. Congress gave in. The party faithful responded sending the Democratic Congress's approval rating through the floor.

So. Democratic Congress, let's get this one right.