A Possible FISA Compromise

Finally, there is some movement on the FISA domestic surveillance bill.

An overhaul of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the courts which rule on its provisions has been sitting immobile in Congress, having overwhelming support of the majority but not quite enough to override the veto that President Bush has guaranteed if the bill did not contain a provision providing immunity to telecommunications companies that turned over sensitive information that should have been protected.

After much finger-pointing and mudslinging, it seems that the President and congressional Republicans are finally willing to budge on the issue. President Bush seems to be floating the idea of allowing the courts to determine if companies are or are not exempt from litigation on a case-by-case basis. This is remarkably similar to an amendment offered by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) a few months ago, which nearly every Republican in the Senate voted against the first time around.