Bush Nears a Victory Over Spying Powers

BUSH NEARS A VICTORY OVER SPYING POWERS
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Siobhan Gorman siobhan.gorman@wsj.com and Evan Perez]
The Senate appears poised to hand the White House another victory with a measure that would make permanent an expansion of government spy powers and shield phone companies from liability for assisting government eavesdropping. With floor consideration scheduled to start today, Democrats are split on how to cut back on the administration's surveillance powers. The only option that appears to have sufficient backing is a bipartisan measure the White House has blessed. Opponents of the White House-backed bill are increasingly predicting a White House win. If the White House prevails this week, it will be the latest example of President Bush's ability to outmaneuver his opponents in Congress, especially on controversial matters of national security, despite his weakened public support. Such a result will give Republicans the upper hand in fashioning a final compromise with the House in January, when Democrats may be more willing to compromise for fear of appearing weak on national security as election season heats up. The House has passed a version of the bill that doesn't include telecom immunity. The Senate version is likely to prevail because it has Republican support, according to lawmakers and Congressional staffers.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119785656615232921.html?mod=todays_us_pa...
(requires subscription)