Bush spying bill wins senate panel backing

President George W Bush has won the approval of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee when seeking to use a secret court to review the Whitehouse sponsored warrantless domestic spying bill.



Looks like the Patriot act was just the start and now the president has got the ball rolling on this bill any guesses what will be next?

Fortunately, it looks like the Senate is getting is passing the bill but not the way the White House wants it.

cnn.com has an article explaining what I mean.

GOP split as Senate panel bucks Bush on terror tribunals
POSTED: 10:16 a.m. EDT, September 15, 2006

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday voted 15-9 to recommend a bill -- over the objections of the Bush administration -- that would authorize tribunals for terror suspects in a way that it says would protect suspects' rights.

The bill was backed by Republican Sens. John Warner of Virginia, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

It differs from the administration's proposal in two major ways: It would permit terror suspects to view classified evidence against them and does not include a proposal that critics say reinterprets a Geneva Conventions rule that prohibits cruel and inhuman treatment of detainees.

source: cnn.com

So apparently the SJC(Senate Judiciary Committee) didnt not fall in step with the Administration on this one. The Bill will still be passed but without the most major points that Bush wanted.

just a thought

Has the Senate finally felt threatened by the White House's long quest to absorb as much power as it can? The Administration is still trying to get the senate to approve measures that the SC knocked down. They obviously have little regard for the other branches of this govt. This Administration just doesnt get it...NO TORTURE.... was that clear enough DC? Ever since McCain's Anti torture bill went through last dec. Bush came out a week later with a signing statement basically telling his branch to take it as 'advisory'. He hasnt let up since. And even though we have bills and laws and the GC.. it matters not to this Administration...they will not stop until torture is legal. The Senate and the Congress have helped hand this president enormous power. So for them to stand up on this against Bush, is quite a statement indeed. Im just wondering about the real motives behind such a move. Is it really for the 'rightious' reasoning they give in the article.. or is it more of a more indepth power game move(which plays itself out on a constant basis in the beltway)?

Couple that with Powell's objections... and it definately becomes clear. The White House's unquenchable hunger has left its intentions bare.

But hey...who cares if the SC has already ruled against what bush is again proposing.. who cares if the Senate backs it... we have signing statements.. and we are not afraid to use them...