Fergie's Tech Blog

Bush Threatens Veto in FISA Reforms

Dan Eggen writes in The Washington Post:

The White House warned Democratic leaders yesterday that President Bush would veto a proposal to extend an expiring surveillance law by 30 days, saying that Congress should quickly approve a Senate bill favored by the Bush administration.

The move is aimed at forcing Congress to renew and expand the Protect America Act -- which is due to expire at the end of the day Thursday -- and escalates a national security showdown between Democrats and the White House just before the president's annual State of the Union address.

A senior administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of ongoing negotiations with Congress, said lawmakers "have had six months to not pass a bill -- they don't need 30 more days to not pass a bill."

The veto threat prompted a swift condemnation from Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), who called the warning "irresponsible" and said Bush was "posturing" just before Monday night's speech.

posted by Fergie @ 1/26/2008 08:11:00 PM