House OKs terrorism bill

The Washington Post

WASHINGTON — The House Friday approved a far-reaching anti-terrorism bill that in most respects mimics legislation that cleared the Senate Thursday, conferring broad new powers on law-enforcement and intelligence agencies to conduct domestic surveillance and share information with each other.

In contrast to the Senate version, several of the more controversial aspects of the House bill relating to wiretapping and other forms of electronic surveillance would expire after five years, at which time they would have to be renewed.

The Senate bill also includes a comprehensive set of money-laundering provisions that House leaders have elected to consider as separate legislation. Those and other, smaller differences will have to be reconciled in a conference committee before President Bush can sign the measure into law, although that could happen as early as next week.

The blistering pace of the legislation through Congress shows just how much the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have altered the political landscape in Washington, D.C. Many of the provisions contained in the House and Senate bills have been sought for years by prosecutors, but rejected by Congress as overly intrusive and possibly unconstitutional. Now lawmakers are eager to accommodate the wishes of the FBI and CIA — alarming civil liberties advocates who warn that Congress is being stampeded into decisions it will later regret.

Bush commended the House’s quick action. "I urge the Congress to quickly get the bill to my desk." Bush said. "We must strengthen the hand of law enforcement to help safeguard America and prevent future attacks-and we must do it now."

Despite the lopsided nature of Friday’s 337-79 vote, many lawmakers were less than thrilled with the process that led up to it. Democrats and some Republicans considered the Senate bill inferior in terms of civil liberties protections to a home-grown compromise version passed 36-0 last week by the House Judiciary Committee. But the Bush administration strongly preferred the Senate bill, which grew out of intensive negotiations led by Attorney General John Ashcroft and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Modern DNA tech comes through again for Everett police in 1989 murder case

Recent advances in forensic genealogy led to the suspect’s arrest in Clark County, Nevada.

Ari Smith, 14, cheers in agreement with one of the speakers during Snohomish County Indivisible’s senator office rally at the Snohomish County Campus on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
More than 100 people gather in Everett to protest recent Trump actions

Protesters hoped to pressure lawmakers into delaying and disrupting action in the Senate.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.