By Jim Wolf
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats accused U.S. PresidentGeorge W. Bush on Saturday of fanning terrorism fearsshamelessly as he was about to lose certain authority towiretap foreign suspects without a court warrant.
Bush, for his part, flailed the Democratic-controlled Houseof Representatives for what he called putting U.S. security atrisk for political motives in an election year.
The Democratic leaders of the House and Senate, respondingto a Republican blitz on the issue, said there should be noquestion in anyone's mind that U.S. intelligence agenciesretained the right to take "all actions necessary to protect"U.S. security.
"For anyone to suggest otherwise is irresponsible andtotally inaccurate," Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid ofNevada and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California said in ajoint statement.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, in the DemocraticParty response to Bush's weekly radio address, added, "We knowthis president dislikes compromise, but this time he has takenhis stubborn approach too far."
"He is whipping up false fears, and creating artificialconfrontation," said Whitehouse, a former federal prosecutorand Rhode Island attorney general who serves on the Senateintelligence and judiciary committees.
At issue is a temporary law passed in August that expandedwarrantless surveillance powers. Bush, a Republican, wantsCongress to make permanent the law, set to lapse at midnightSaturday.
DOZENS OF LAWSUITS
He also wants to add legal immunity for telecommunicationscompanies sued for invasion of privacy for aiding U.S.intelligence after the September 11 attacks.
About 40 lawsuits have been filed accusing AT&T, VerizonCommunications and Sprint Nextel Corp of violating Americans'privacy rights in the surveillance program.
The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill to replace the expiring"Protect America Act" in line with Bush's wishes. But HouseDemocratic leaders refused to bring it up for a quick vote onFriday, largely over the question of retroactive immunity fortelephone companies that provided private data withoutwarrants. House members then adjourned for a 10-day recess.
Even after the law expires, the government's legalsurveillance ability remains undiminished until at leastAugust, Democrats said.
Bush, in his weekly radio address taped before he left on afive-nation Africa tour on Friday, predicted companies will beincreasingly reluctant to cooperate with U.S. intelligenceagencies because of their uncertainty about the law and fear ofbeing sued "by class-action trial lawyers."
"Because Congress failed to act, it will be harder for ourgovernment to keep you safe from terrorist attack," Bush said.
Bush had offered to delay his Africa trip if HouseDemocratic leaders would stay to enact "a good bill."
Instead, he said, "House leaders chose politics overprotecting the country -- and our country is at greater risk asa result."
House Republican Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri said thecountry's intelligence capacity is growing weaker by the day.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky saidin a separate statement, "This is not a political contest, itis a live-fire situation."
(Editing by Mohammad Zargham)
