Gonzales: NSA Program Doesn't Need a Law

Gonzales: NSA Program Doesn't Need a Law

By KATHERINE SHRADER, Associated Press Writer
8 minutes ago


WASHINGTON - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales made clear Wednesday that the White House is not seeking congressional action to inscribe the National Security Agency's monitoring into U.S. law, even as members of Congress negotiate with the Bush administration about legislation. Gonzales maintained the program is legal the way it is.

"There's a general consensus — quite frankly — that this is a needed program" designed to listen to al-Qaida's communications, Gonzales told the National Association of Attorneys General Wednesday. "The concern I think that people have, which is a natural concern, is that, is this a limited program?"

Gonzales said administration officials have gone a long way in reassuring lawmakers about the NSA's operations. Over four years, he said, the administration has met "with select congressional leadership on both sides of the aisle about the scope of this program — everything that we're doing related to this program."

Yet House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, the former top Democrat on the intelligence panel, has publicly questioned what those select lawmakers don't know. Her spokeswoman, Jennifer Crider, said congressional Republicans have been unwilling to perform oversight of the administration.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060308/ap_on_go_pr_wh/eavesdropping_10