Spy bill long overdue - Bush

2008-07-10 07:29

Washington - The Senate has approved a bill overhauling the rules on secret US government eavesdropping and granting immunity to telephone companies that helped listen in on Americans after the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks.

The Senate passed the bill on Wednesday, 69-28. It turned back three amendments that would have watered down, delayed or stripped away the immunity provision demanded by President George W Bush.

When the president signs the bill, as expected, it will effectively dismiss some 40 lawsuits filed against telecommunications companies for alleged violations of wiretapping and privacy laws.

The bill's passage ends almost a year of political wrangling over eavesdropping rules.

Bush called the measure a "vital intelligence bill" and said he would sign it.

The president spoke shortly after the vote, immediately upon his arrival back at the White House from a four-day trip to Japan. The bill is a victory for Bush, as it retroactively shields telecommunications companies from lawsuits as he had demanded and ends almost a year of political wrangling over the regulation of eavesdropping.

"This legislation is critical to America's safety," the president said in brief remarks. "It is long overdue."

Bush said it would protect Americans' civil liberties, and also their security.

"This bill will help our intelligence professionals learn who the terrorists are talking to, what they're saying and what they're planning," he said.

Bush also said it would give immunity to the telecommunications companies "for past or future co-peration with the government".

- AP