CongressDaily reports (sub. req.):
House Democratic leaders postponed a vote this afternoon on legislation that would limit the Bush administration’s spying activities, a development that signaled backers did not have enough votes to ensure passage. According to a memo to members from Majority Leader Hoyer, the House will have no other votes tonight after wrapping up railroad safety legislation.
Greg Sargent reports Deputy Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) had today planned on introducing an amendment clarifying that nothing in the bill “shall be construed to prohibit the intelligence community from conducting surveillance needed to prevent Osama Bin Laden, Al Qaeda, or any other foreign terrorist organization…from attacking the United States or any United States person.”
UPDATE: House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) has put out a statement:
Once again, House Republicans have chosen to engage in politics rather than substantively address the challenges that face the American people.
Once again, they have offered an amendment that, if passed, would have substantially delayed this important legislation — which is designed to protect the American people — by proposing language already provided in the bill.
We have every intention of completing consideration of this critical legislation and fulfilling our twin objectives — protecting the American people and protecting their civil liberties.
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