Senate Democrats speak out against domestic wiretaps (Feingold & Levin)

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Senate Democrats speak out against domestic wiretaps


There's more criticism Monday from Senate Democrats over President Bush's decision to let the National Security Agency listen-in on domestic phone calls.

The ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee says it makes a mockery of the system of checks and balances inherent in the U.S.Constitution. Senator Carl Levin of Michigan says court oversight of such wiretaps is critical. He says there's a system in place right now that permits government officials to tap first and get court approval later, but the administration has chosen not to do that.Advertisement

Senator Russell Feingold objected more strongly. The Wisconsin Democrat says of Bush, "He's a president, not a king." Feingold also said, "We could all go home now because apparently we don't have a role if the president can just make up these laws."

Feingold says the Senate must fast-track hearings on the matter.

There's more criticism Monday...