Deal Close on Wiretap Law, a Top Democrat Tells CNN

DEAL CLOSE ON WIRETAP LAW, A TOP DEMOCRAT TELLS CNN
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Jason DeParle]
The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee hinted Sunday that a battle over an expired eavesdropping law might be moving toward a conclusion that gave phone companies the retroactive legal protections long sought by President Bush. The chairman, Representative Silvestre Reyes, Democrat of Texas, said in an interview on CNN that the committee had been talking to the companies “because if we’re going to give them blanket immunity, we want to know and understand what it is we’re giving immunity for.” Chairman Reyes did not specify what provisions a House bill might contain. But his use of the words “blanket immunity” suggested that he might be moving toward a Senate bill, backed by Mr. Bush, that would protect phone companies that assisted in a federal program of wiretapping without warrants after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. “I have an open mind about that,” Chairman Reyes said. “We’re very close,” he added. “Probably within the next week, we'll be able to move hopefully to bring it to a vote.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/03/washington/03fisa.html?ref=todayspaper
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* Lawmakers Hope Rockefeller Can Forge Surveillance Pact
The only lawmaker allied with Republicans, Democrats and the White House, Sen. Rockefeller, 70 years old, has become a crucial link between two sides hardly on speaking terms. As the House and Senate attempt again to find common ground this week, his support will be crucial to any final agreement.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120451119707106821.html?mod=todays_us_page_one

* Top U.S. Democrat: accord near on spy bill, immunity
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN0228952920080302