Bob Hackworth, the mayor of Dunedin and Democrat for Congressional District 10, released a statement today on the White House-backed Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which is expected to pass the Senate on Wednesday. It would give the executive branch enhanced spying powers and offer a legal shield to
telephone companies that cooperated with President Bush's warrantless surveillance
program.

The wiretapping plan passed the House of Representatives on June 20 by a 293-129 vote.

“Once again this administration has shown its disregard for
the Constitution. By providing the telecom companies with immunity, the senate
will be condoning the extra-constitutional actions of this government and be
sending a message to the country and the world that big business comes before
the freedoms and liberties of the American people. As usual, Rep. Bill Young sided with the
administration in voting to restrict the freedoms that this country was founded
on."

--Stephanie Garry, Times Staff Writer