Bush Chides Congress For Spy Law Lapse

By TERENCE HUNT, AP White House Correspondent

WASHINGTON – President Bush scolded Congress for allowing a government eavesdropping law to expire at midnight Saturday, saying the failure to act will make it more difficult to track terrorists and “we may lose a vital lead that could prevent an attack on America.”

Bush used his weekly radio address to escalate his war of words with the Democratic leadership of Congress. The Democrats accuse Bush of fear-mongering and misrepresenting the facts.

The president wanted the House to approve a Senate bill that would have renewed a law that made it easier for the government to spy on foreign phone calls and e-mails that pass through the United States.

Bush opposed a temporary extension of the bill, and lawmakers left for a 12-day recess without extending the law. “Some congressional leaders claim that this will not affect our security,” the president said.

“They are wrong. Because Congress failed to act, it will be harder for our government to keep you safe from terrorist attack. At midnight, the attorney general and the director of National Intelligence will be stripped of their power to authorize new surveillance against terrorist threats abroad. This means that as terrorists change their tactics to avoid our surveillance, we may not have the tools we need to continue tracking them – and we may lose a vital lead that could prevent an attack on America.”

Democrats chose Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a former U.S. attorney and attorney general of Rhode Island, to deliver their Saturday radio address on the same subject.

“We know this president dislikes compromise, but this time he has taken his stubborn approach too far,” Whitehouse said.

“He is whipping up false fears, and creating artificial confrontation. As the president himself said in the Rose Garden, ‘There is really no excuse for letting this critical legislation expire. So let’s get it done.’ But the president instead chose political gamesmanship, rejecting a short extension of the Protect America Act that would allow Congress to complete its work,” Whitehouse said.

“Make no mistake: If the surveillance law expires, if any intelligence loss results, it is President Bush’s choice. Period.”

White House officials seethed over the fact that the House, rather than passing the eavesdropping bill, approved contempt citations against two Bush confidants, chief of staff Joshua Bolten and former counsel Harriet Miers, over their refusal to cooperate with an investigation into the firings of U.S. attorneys.

“House leaders chose politics over protecting the country – and our country is at greater risk as a result,” Bush said. “My administration will take every step within our power to minimize the damage caused by the House’s irresponsible behavior,” he said.

“Yet it is still urgent that Congress act. The Senate has shown the way by approving a good, bipartisan bill. The House must pass that bill as soon as they return to Washington from their latest recess.”

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)