Senate committee clears way for vote on NSA wiretap program
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- On a party-line vote, the Republican-majority Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday approved a White House-backed bill to formally legalize the National Security Agency's warrantless surveillance program, clearing the way for floor consideration in the coming weeks.
At the same time, the committee blocked Democratic amendments aimed at curbing the reach of the program.
The bill, written by Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and agreed to by the White House after lengthy negotiations, would allow -- but not force -- President Bush to submit the secret and controversial NSA program to a special court to determine if the overall program is constitutional.
Bush has promised to do that if the bill is approved by Congress without substantial changes.
If the court determines the program is not constitutional, the legislation allows the administration to modify the program and resubmit it to the court. --From CNN Congressional Producer Ted Barrett (Posted 12:08 p.m.)
from here