FC: Congress reaches compromise on USA Act: Four-year expiration

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

Some background:
http://www.wartimeliberty.com/search.pl?topic=legislation

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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2001/10/17/national1959EDT0880.DTL

   Lawmakers break logjam on new anti-terrorism laws, surveillance
   measures to expire in 2005
   JESSE J. HOLLAND, Associated Press Writer
   Wednesday, October 17, 2001

   New authority wanted by President Bush to wiretap and eavesdrop on
   suspected terrorists, including secret police searches of their homes
   and records, would expire in four years under a compromise negotiated
   Wednesday, according to congressional sources.

   The White House had sought unfettered and permanent authority for
   so-called roving wiretaps to monitor telephone and computer
   communications of terrorism suspects no matter where they take place,
   but encountered stiff opposition from civil rights and privacy
   advocates in both parties.

   House and Senate negotiators agreed Wednesday afternoon to the
   compromise sunset date of Dec. 31, 2005, for the expanded authority to
   expire, said four top congressional aides, all speaking on condition
   of anonymity.

   "It's a done deal," said one GOP House aide. Three Senate aides, one
   Republican and two Democrats, confirmed the deal.

   Before departing on a trip to Asia, President Bush met Wednesday
   morning with leaders in both parties and urged them to come to a
   speedy agreement on anti-terrorism legislation containing the new law
   enforcement measures. The bill had been stalled for more than a month,
   primarily over the new electronic surveillance authority.

   [...]




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