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Feb. 6, 2008

U.S. President George W. Bush said he would veto any surveillance bill that doesn't include retroactive immunity for telecommunication carriers that participated in his administration's early eavesdropping programs.

It is reported that lawmakers are now preparing to vote on updates to a 30-year old surveillance law due to expire February 15.

The President also said he will resist another extension.

In a letter sent to Senate leaders and those on the Senate Judiciary and Intelligence committees, Attorney General Michael Mukasey and National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell reportedly wrote that the President is prepared to veto any bill that "does not provide the United States intelligence agencies the tools they really need to protect the nation."

This surveillance law actually dates back to early 1978 and some observers still think it's outdated.

Mukasey added that "the letter also reportedly expressed concern that without immunity, telecoms could be less likely to cooperate with the government's surveillance efforts."

Although the debate on the legislation began yesterday evening, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the Senate would begin voting on amendments later today.

Retroactive immunity for U.S. telecommunication carriers is currently one of the hotly debated amendments on Capitol Hill.

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