Bush signs expanded wiretapping law*

CAMP DAVID, Md. (AP) — President Bush on Sunday signed into law an
expansion of the government's power to eavesdrop on foreign terror
suspects without the need for warrants.

The law, approved by the Senate and the House just before Congress
adjourned for its summer break, was deemed a priority by Bush and his
chief intelligence officials.

Bush signed the bill into law on Sunday afternoon at his retreat at Camp
David, Md.

"When our intelligence professionals have the legal tools to gather
information about the intentions of our enemies, America is safer," Bush
said. "And when these same legal tools also protect the civil liberties
of Americans, then we can have the confidence to know that we can
preserve our freedoms while making America safer."

The administration said the measure is needed to speed the National
Security Agency's ability to intercept phone calls, e-mails and other
communications involving foreign nationals "reasonably believed to be
outside the United States."

The law is designed to capture communications that pass through the
United States.

Civil liberties groups and many Democrats say it goes too far, possibly
enabling the government to wiretap U.S. residents communicating with
overseas parties without adequate oversight from courts or Congress.

The new law updates the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and it
will expire in six months unless Congress renews it. Bush wants deeper,
permanent changes.

"We must remember that our work is not done," Bush prodded. "This bill
is a temporary, narrowly focused statute to deal with the most immediate
shortcomings in the law."