Article: EAVESDROPPING BILL PASSES HOUSE OKS RULES, BUT PRESIDENT THREATENS TO VETO IT.(FRONT)

Byline: PAMELA HESS Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- The House on Friday approved a Democratic bill that would set rules for the government's eavesdropping on phone calls and e-mails inside the United States.

The bill, approved as lawmakers departed for a two-week break, faces a veto threat from President Bush. The margin of House approval was 213-197, largely along party lines.

Because of the promised veto, "this vote has no impact at all," said Republican Whip Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri.

The president's main objection is that the bill doesn't protect from lawsuits the telecommunications companies that allowed the government to eavesdrop on their customers ...

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