Sunday, August 05, 2007 Domestic Spying - Walberg Votes Yes
By now, you've probably heard that the House and Senate passed the "Protecting America Act of 2007," which amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Depending on who you ask, this piece of legislation is either a needed fix to reflect new technology or a terrible failure on the part of Congress to stand up to the Bush Administration.
A quick review: The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act grants the government various powers to spy on foreign powers and their agents in the United States. It includes emergency provisions to allow electronic surveillance-- that is, wiretapping-- without a court order, but with limitations and under the supervision of the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. However, the Bush Administration ordered the National Security Agency to conduct secret, warrantless wiretapping outside the authority of FISA. Thus ensued a long debate over the constitutionality of the program, with the Bush Administration arguing that that FISA is antiquated, failing to take into account new technologies. Congress eventually passed an amendment making the NSA program illegal (which Congressman Walberg, shockingly, voted for), but the issue was never resolved. Which brings us to this most recent bill. After Democratic versions failed, the Senate and the House of Representatives have passed a six-month "fix" that addresses the concerns of the Bush Administration. From Congressional Quarterly: The bill would immediately allow the administration to begin conducting warrantless surveillance of foreign targets, regardless of whether the target is communicating with someone in the United States. It would require the attorney general, in consultation with director, to write procedures on how the executive branch collects that information. Those procedures would be subjected later to the FISA court for approval. The bill would expire after six months, giving Congress a window to work out a longer-term FISA overhaul in the fall.It passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 227 to 123. Tim Walberg voted Yes. Joining him were 41 Democrats (though none from Michigan), while two Republicans voted against the bill. Of course, no one can really claim a complete victory or a complete failure. This issue is going to come up yet again in six months. Labels: 110th Congress, Intelligence, Issues, Tim Walberg, Walberg Voting Record, Warrantless Wiretapping
Comments:
Tim Walberg's staffer who is also a radio show host is "explaining" the warantless wiretapping vote right now.
That same staffer attacked warantless wiretaps in the past as invasions of privacy. Now, his "opinion" has changed for some reason. I wonder if it has anything to do with the unethical practice of serving two masters. I am all for someone working hard at two part time jobs, but when one is for a politician and the other is for a supposed news outlet, I see an ethical conflict. We already know Walberg is able to morph and flex his morals and ethics if he needs to get out of a jam, but it seems like the radio station would be interested in preserving jounalistic ethical standards. It seems like they could fix the problem real easy, but then again, maybe they are just trying to balance out the liberal media bias.
Walberg won't be able to morph and flex his way out of voting NO on the Kellogg Airport funding. He can explain all he wants about how he supported it by voting against it, but Calhoun County voters are much smarter than he realizes.
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This will haunt him in 2008. The man simply is not a man of integrity. Period. His actions speak far louder than his words. Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom] << Home ArchivesAugust 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 |