Bush nixes compromise with Democrats over wiretap law
WASHINGTON (AFP) — President George W. Bush, on his return flight from a tour of Africa, refused Thursday to compromise with House of Representatives Democrats on extending a wiretap law he considers crucial in the US "war on terror."
Bush accuses Democrat lawmakers of blocking the Senate-approved law that expired Saturday, which allows warrantless eavesdropping of telephone calls and emails with foreign countries on suspicion of terrorist activities.
The Senate and House of Representatives, where Democrats hold a majority, have agreed on extending the post-September 11, 2001, measure, but Bush is against a House provision -- accepted by the Senate -- that would leave telecommunications companies that participate in the program open to lawsuits.
Questioned by reporters on his flight back home, Bush said he would give no ground. "There's no compromise on whether or not these phone companies get liability protection," he said.
"How do you compromise on something like granting liability for a telecommunications company? You can't," he added.
"If we do not give liability protection to those who are helping us, they won't help us. And if they don't help us, there will be no program. And if there's no program, America is more vulnerable."
