Bush defends wiretaps, urges patriot act renewal
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-18 09:11

A group of senators -- most of them Democrats joined by a few Republicans -- on Friday blocked renewal of the provisions as they demanded more safeguards for civil liberties. Bush said the roadblock was irresponsible and could endanger lives.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican, said, "We're working all angles" to extend expiring provisions, and voiced optimism that they would succeed.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, again urged a three-month extension of the provisions to allow time to resolve the differences. Congressional Republican leaders and the White House have so far rejected such a move.

But one congressional leadership aide put it, "No one one wants to see this expire," so a temporary extension was a looming possibility.

The New York Times said the presidential order allowed the National Security Agency to track international telephone calls and e-mails of hundreds of people without the court approval normally required for domestic spying.

Bush said the disclosure was improper. "Revealing classified information is illegal, alerts our enemies, and endangers our country," he said.

He insisted his role as commander-in-chief gave him the authority to allow the surveillance. He said the program was constitutional, was reviewed by legal authorities and that leaders in Congress were aware of it.

Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin said he was shocked by the program and disagreed with Bush on its legality.

"The president believes that he has the power to override the laws that Congress has passed. This is not how our democratic system of government works," Feingold said. "He is a president, not a king.