Bush: Country In ‘More Danger’ Without Surveillance Law

WHITE HOUSE (AP) — President Bush is calling on Congress to act on legislation that would let the government spy on foreign phone calls and e-mails that pass through the U.S.

Bush says Congress’ failure to extend a law allowing such surveillance is putting the country in “more danger of an attack.” The law expires Saturday night at midnight.

Bush and Vice President Cheney have been meeting with Republican congressional leaders at the White House to discuss the impasse with the House.

Bush says lawmakers left for a 12-day recess without acting on the law, and they should work quickly on the measure as soon as they return. He says without the extension, intelligence officials won’t have the tools they need “to be able to figure out what the enemy is up to.”

Democrats accuse Bush of fear-mongering. They say he has the authority he needs to intercept communications, even if the law expires.