ACLU sounding alert in FISA debate

Worried that Democratic leaders are cutting a “backroom deal” on warrantless wiretapping, the American Civil Liberties Union urged its members to contact their legislators and oppose any compromise.

“House leadership is on the precipice of caving in and handing over everything the president has demanded: expanded surveillance powers and immunity for big phone companies that broke the law. Help stop them,” the ACLU said in an alert Monday.

 {mosads}The ACLU alert says the deal involves a rushed House vote on expanding President Bush’s spying powers as part of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act debate.

But House leaders say there is no deal. House and Senate negotiators are still exchanging drafts.