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Bush warns of US attack
15/02/2008 20:13 - (SA)
Washington - President George W Bush said on Friday that the United States "is in more danger of an attack" because of Congress' failure to extend a law granting the government authority to spy on foreign phone calls and e-mails that pass through the country.
The president and vice president Dick Cheney met with Republican congressional leaders in the Oval Office to discuss the impasse with the Democratic-led House. The president said lawmakers had left for a 12-day recess without acting on the law, which expires at midnight on Saturday.
He said Congress should act quickly on the measure as soon as lawmakers return.
Bush argues that without the extension, the intelligence community will not have the tools they need. Democrats accuse the president of fear-mongering and say he has the authority he needs to intercept terrorist communications, even if the law expires.
"American citizens must understand, clearly understand that there's still a threat on the homeland. There's still an enemy which would like to do us harm," Bush said. "We've got to give our professionals the tools they need, to be able to figure out what the enemy is up to so we can stop it."
"By blocking this piece of legislation, our country is more in danger of an attack," the president said.
- AP
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