House immunizes telecoms from suits

DEVELOPING:

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has approved a compromise eavesdropping bill that, in effect, shields telecommunications companies from civil lawsuits for their alleged participation in the Bush administration’s warrantless wiretapping program.

The House’s passage of the FISA Amendment bill marks an apparent end to a monthslong standoff between Democrats and Republicans about the rules for government wiretapping in the United States in the aftermath of the September 11 terror attacks. It’s an attempt to balance privacy rights with the government’s need to protect the country by spying on foreign agents and terrorists. The Senate is expected to easily pass the bill as soon as next week — before Congress’ Fourth of July vacation.