Article: Compromise OK'd on surveillance bill

WASHINGTON -- Congressional leaders have agreed to a compromise surveillance bill that would effectively shield from civil suits the telecommunications companies that helped the government wiretap phone and computer lines after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks without court approval.

The House was expected to pass the bill today, potentially ending a monthslong standoff about the rules for government wiretapping inside the United States.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland said the bill "balances the needs of our intelligence community with Americans' civil liberties and provides critical new oversight."

The issue of legal protection for telecommunications companies that participated ...

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