| The US House of Representatives voted 227-183 late Saturday in favor of the Protect America Act 2007, legislation that gives the Executive Branch expanded surveillance authority for a period of six months while Congress works on long-term legislation to "modernize" the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The bill was passed by the Senate Friday and Bush said Saturday that he will sign the legislation. Bush said that Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell has provided the president assurances "that this bill gives him what he needs to continue to protect the country." The Protect America Act establishes legal guidelines on how the United States can conduct surveillance against foreign nationals "reasonably believed to be outside the United States," and requires the director of national intelligence and the attorney general's authorization before surveillance against a specific target can begin. The surveillance will be subject to review by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court within 120 days. |
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