Congress split over national security legislation

09/27/2006

Half of President Bush’s antiterrorism legislative agenda stalled Tuesday when discord among Republicans forced GOP leaders to give up on trying to legalize his warrantless wiretapping program before the Nov. 7 election.

Associated Press
Last update: September 27, 2006 – 6:36 AM

Half of President Bush’s antiterrorism legislative agenda stalled Tuesday when discord among Republicans forced GOP leaders to give up on trying to legalize his warrantless wiretapping program before the Nov. 7 election. Republican lawmakers instead turned their attention to the other half—establishing a legal framework for detaining, interrogating and trying terrorism suspects before military commissions. They said they were hoping to send the bill to Bush by the end of the week for a signing ceremony. Bush called anew for Congress to pass both measures.

Lawmakers in both the House and Senate said it now appeared doubtful that bills covering the National Security Agency’s eavesdropping program could pass both the House and Senate and be reconciled before Congress adjourns this weekend, an outcome that would deny Republicans one of the main achievements they hoped to take into the election.

House bill reinforces parental notification

Accompanying a minor across a state line to obtain an abortion and avoid parental notification in the girl’s home state would become a federal crime under a bill the House passed. Republican supporters said the 264-153 vote confirmed public sentiment that parental involvement superseded a minor’s right to an abortion. Democratic opponents foresaw the arrests of grandmothers and religious counselors trying to shield girls from abusive parents. Chances are slim that the House and the Senate, which approved a more limited version of the bill in July, will devise a compromise that they can send to the president before the end of this session.

House adopts record Pentagon funding bill

Despite intense partisan divisions over the course of the Iraq war, the House on Tuesday easily approved $70 billion more for military operations there and in Afghanistan. Lawmakers also adopted a record $448 billion budget for the Pentagon. With Iraq alone costing about $8 billion a month, another infusion of funds will be needed next spring.

Senate action is due before adjourning this weekend. The House-Senate compromise bill provides $378 billion for core Pentagon programs, about a 5 percent increase, though not quite as much as Bush requested. The $70 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan is a down payment on war costs the White House has estimated will hit $110 billion for the budget year beginning Oct. 1.

Lawmakers delay plan to secure U.S. borders

A plan to tighten U.S. borders by requiring passports or ID cards from everyone entering the country has been delayed. House and Senate lawmakers agreed to push back the program by 17 months, saying they want to make sure new ID cards being developed by the Bush administration will better secure borders rather than slow legitimate travelers from Canada and Mexico. The new IDs will be required only for Americans and all others entering the United States by land. The House and Senate each aim to approve a $34.8 billion spending plan for the Homeland Security Department later this week.