Terrorism
Lawmaker Wants to Add Terrorism Wiretap Authority to Funds Bill
Posted Apr 25, 2008, 10:55 am CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss
A Republican congressman plans to try to attach a terrorism wiretap bill to legislation to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
U.S. Rep. Jerry Lewis says the measure would protect communications companies that cooperated with the government’s wiretap program, the Politico reports. The House adjourned in February without approving the bill to extend the terrorism wiretap program.
"As a result of the inaction by the Democrat leadership, this vital weapon in our arsenal against terror has been lost," Lewis said in a news release release. "Since the Democrat leadership has refused to schedule a vote on this critical legislation—which the White House and the Senate both overwhelmingly endorse—I will offer it as part of our war supplemental in committee."
Lewis will probably be unable to get the Democratic support he needs to attach the measure to the bill, the blog says.