How they voted: Maine’s Congressional Delegation, March 14, 2008 Foreign intelligence act in lawmakers’ spotlight

House votes

Democratic Reps. Michael Michaud, 2nd District, and Tom Allen, 1st District

Vote 1: FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT AMENDMENTS: The House on March 14 agreed an amendment to the Responsible Electronic Surveillance That Is Overseen, Reviewed and Effective Act (HR 3773), sponsored by Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich. The legislation amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for authorizing the acquisition of certain types of foreign intelligence. Supporters said the measure makes in easier for the U.S. intelligence community to wiretap suspected terrorists by not requiring a public court order. Opponents said the sponsors of the measure refuse to protect telecom companies, which are facing lawsuits totaling in the billions of dollars, for violations of privacy. The vote was 213 yeas to 197 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Compiled by Targeted News Service for the Bangor Daily News.