Bush’s warrantless-search program to face test today

March 7, 2006

I’m not quite sure why this hasn’t generated broader media attention, but the Senate Intelligence Committee will decide today whether (and how) to investigate the president’s warrantless-search program.

Republicans in Congress are trying to limit the scope of any investigation into how President Bush’s secret domestic-surveillance program has operated. Some key lawmakers are also working to legalize such spying on U.S. citizens in the future, perhaps with some judicial restrictions.

The dual-track effort is designed to protect the Bush administration from an all-out congressional inquiry into the secret program, while rejecting Bush’s argument that he already has full legal authority to order such surveillance.

The Senate Intelligence Committee is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a Democratic plan to conduct a broad investigation into the program. Committee chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., is trying to win support for a more limited inquiry. Roberts refused to say Monday whether he had the votes to forestall the Democratic demand for an investigation. Democrats need only one Republican to side with them to order such a probe.

Dems only need one Republican to break ranks, and they may have two (Olympia Snowe and Chuck Hagel). At a minimum, Snowe has quietly confirmed her intention to vote for Sen. Rockefeller’s motion to hold investigative hearings, which should seal the deal.

The White House is reportedly working furiously behind the scenes to stave off an investigation, but the president and his most sycophantic Senate allies appear to have few options left. Bill Frist’s plan to reshuffle the Senate Intelligence Committee doesn’t have any support, and Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) can’t seem to bring himself to cancel today’s vote after giving his word that it would happen.

I know the NSA story faded a bit after the Dubai Ports World controversy broke (plus, rumor has it Cheney shot a guy), but we’re moving into a stage in which a full-scale investigation may be forthcoming, despite White House demands to the contrary. Stay tuned.

Bring. It. On.

  • I still have not heard anything about this program that makes me believe it can not be handled through the FISA court.

    I’m convinced that Bush, Cheney and Gonzolez just want to break the FISA law because they want a all-powerful unitary executive.

  • The NSA story has faded A LOT with the passage of time (what, two weeks?). The American mind can only hold something till the channel’s changed.

    That’s the beauty of our legislative and judicial processes. They still have memories. If they’re allowed to operate (which is seldom anymore).

  • Will it be real?

    IF there is a domestic-surveillance program investigation …. then Gonzoles must be sworn in under oath …or the whole thing’s a joke.

  • kali,
    the 9/11 Commission agreed to let Bush “testify” (with Cheney’s hand up his ass running his mouth) without being sworn in, so I’m sure the AG won’t have to either. So, yes, it will be a joke.

  • I’m not quite sure why this hasn’t generated broader media attention

    Because, when the news is good for the GOP, the GOP gets the message out, loud and clear and often, but when the news is bad for the GOP good for Dems, the Dem leadership sits around, waiting for the media to rescue them.

    Failure. 10 years. These guys gotta go if Dems want to win. Can’t turn a slow horse into a winner just by changing the saddle: you gotta get a new horse.

    • Comments are closed.