BRIEF: Senate Votes to Allow Warrantless Wiretapping to Continue with Protection for Phone Companies

WASHINGTON D.C., United States - Today the Senate voted against amendments that would have narrowed the government's surveillance power and denied immunity to phone carriers who aided in the government.  There has been a great deal of debate over the amount of power the Bush administration should have to conduct eavesdropping programs without first obtaining a warrant.  The House of Representatives previously voted against immunity for phone companies but some Congressional officials said the House will likely adopt some type of legal protection for phone companies after the Senate and House complete negotiations in the coming week.

Under the warrantless eavesdropping program, the National Security Agency can listen into international communications by Americans where a connection to suspected terrorists can be found.  Some have found that the program is an important part of national security after the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001. Democrats, as well as Republicans support the program.  John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.V.) was quoted by the New York Times as saying, "This, I believe is the right way for the security of the nation." 

Democrats, however, lead the opposition of the warrantless wiretapping program.  Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) both lead the party opposition.  It is argued by those like Feingold and Dodd that the administration is protecting phone companies from legal action in exchange for their cooperation in eavesdropping on suspicious telephone calls.  Critics say, however, that the warrantless wiretapping violates the laws of the United States.

For more information, please see:

New York Times - Senate Moves to Shield Phone Companies on Eavesdropping   - 12 February 2008

Washington Post - Senate Panel Blocks Eavesdropping Probe - 12 February 2008