The Political Chase

GOP looking for FISA fight

Republican Members of Congress are ready to pick a fight with Democrats over proposed changes to the existing FISA legislation.

Like I said, it’s just moving more pieces around the chess board.

From Roll Call (subscription):

House and Senate Republicans are preparing for a fight this week over what rules should apply to the government’s wiretapping and surveillance programs, happily accepting the decision by House Democrats to shift some public attention, at least temporarily, away from the children’s health insurance debate.

 

With the short-term extension of FISA, which was passed in August, set to expire in February, Democrats are moving forward with a legislative package that includes constraints on surveillance, which certainly will prompt a veto from President Bush.

 

But unlike Bush’s veto of the SCHIP bill — which was supported by a number of Republicans in the House and Senate and subsequently has caused significant heartburn for in-cycle GOP incumbents — Republicans are much more comfortable backing Bush on national security

 

“On this kind of veto we have a chance to win because it’s national security,” a Senate GOP leadership aide said, adding that Senate Republican Conference Chairman Jon Kyl (Ariz.) is taking the lead on the issue in that chamber.

 

A House GOP leadership aide agreed, arguing that Republicans have much better “branding” on national security issues.

 

Specifically, Republicans are planning to use the kidnapping and subsequent murder of three U.S. soldiers in Iraq earlier this year to put a “human face” on the issue, the House staffer explained. According to this aide, while Democrats’ arguments about privacy may resonate with some voters, Republicans believe using real-world examples of how a weak FISA has put U.S. troops in danger will help galvanize public support for their position.

 

“We’re content to have the Democrats make these abstract and obtuse privacy arguments,” the aide said. “As long as we make this debate … about real world, human examples,” Republicans believe they can maintain party discipline on Bush’s veto and effectively fight Democrats in the public arena.

How dare the Democrats be concerned with such pedestrian matters as the Constitution, and more specifically the Fourth Amendment? Better still, why doesn’t Congress just move promptly ahead with what Dick Cheney wants most — abolish Article I of the Constitution. It’s been nothing but a thorn in his side ever since the Democrats took control of Congress in January.