Senate Panel to Vote on Wiretapping Bill Next ThursdayA couple of weeks ago, the Senate intelligence committee passed a bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies that collaborated with the administration’s warrantless wiretapping program. And next Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee will get its chance. It’ll be a busy week at the committee; the vote on Michael Mukasey is Tuesday.
Yesterday both Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and ranking member Arlen Specter (R-PA) expressed opposition to such immunity, as they have before. During the meeting next Thursday, members will have the opportunity to offer an amendment to strip it away from the bill. A spokeswoman for Leahy said that he’s still reviewing the materials turned over just this week relating to the legal basis for the warrantless wiretapping program and hasn’t decided yet whether to offer an amendment or what form it would take.