House Immunizes Telecoms From Lawsuits (Pamela Hess)

  (Associated Press) -- The House has approved a compromise eavesdropping bill that, in effect, shields telecommunications companies from civil lawsuits for their alleged participation in the Bush administration's warrantless wiretapping program.

  The House's passage of the FISA Amendment bill marks an apparent end to a monthslong standoff between Democrats and Republicans about the rules for government wiretapping in the United States in the aftermath of the September 11 terror attacks.

  The Senate is expected to easily pass the bill as soon as next week -- before Congress' Fourth of July vacation.

LINK:  Lowell Sun