Spencer Ackerman reports that that NSI Director McConnell had reached agreement with the Congress and Bush overruled McConnell:

Today, while standing with Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell, President Bush lamented the inability of Congressional Democrats to give McConnell the tools he needed to capture the communications of terrorists . . . There's only one problem with Bush's statement: it isn't true. A key Democrat in the negotiations, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), says that a deal had in fact been reached with McConnell, who has been busy lobbying Congress on a FISA update all week. "We had an agreement with DNI McConnell," Hoyer spokeswoman Stacey Bernards tells TPMmuckraker, "and then the White House quashed the agreement."

Update [2007-8-3 20:35:32 by Big Tent Democrat]: House currently voting on Democratic bill. Watch on C-Span.

Update [2007-8-3 20:42:10 by Big Tent Democrat]: Levin, on C-Span 2, describes the issues - allowing the surveilling of foriegn persons outside the US irrespective of the passage of the communications through US lines (trunk lines now sometimes are physically located in the US). Levin points out that the GOP bill allows US citizens overseas to be surveilled without a warrant. I'll add more.

Update [2007-8-3 20:46:0 by Big Tent Democrat]: The unbeleivable chutzpah contained in the GOP bill is that GONZO, not the FISA Court, reviews the program. Gonzo reports to Congress in the GOP bill. In the Dem bill, the Inspector General reports to Congress.
Joe Lieberman stand up and prepares to make a fool of himself.

Update [2007-8-3 20:50:24 by Big Tent Democrat]: Seriously, is there a bigger tool than Joe Lieberman?

Update [2007-8-3 20:52:44 by Big Tent Democrat]: Feingold ripping Lieberman. Saying that Lieberman is abdicating his duty as a Senator.

Update [2007-8-3 20:55:56 by Big Tent Democrat]: House approves rejects Dem version. 2/3 vote required under rule. do not ask me what that means. Apparently, a GOP version passed? I do not know what happened on this frankly. The plot thickens.

U.S. Republican lawmakers on Friday blocked an effort by Democrats to temporarily allay President George W. Bush's concerns about the government's anti-terrorism spying program, saying it did not go far enough.

Under accelerated consideration as lawmakers prepared for a monthlong recess, the 218-207 vote in favor of the bill fell short of the needed two-thirds majority for passage in the Democratic-led House of Representatives.

Trying to end a stalemate with the Bush administration, House Democratic leader Steny Hoyer pleaded for passage. "Vote for this important legislation, which strengthens our national security and comports with the principles of our Constitution."

Update [2007-8-3 20:59:55 by Big Tent Democrat]: Diane Feintstein turns in one of the most pathetic performances I have ever seen. Will vote for BOTH bills.

Update [2007-8-3 21:2:37 by Big Tent Democrat]: A fight going on in the House. What about? I dunno. Ok, some parliametary question on whether Hoyer by saying "enough is enough" reopened debate.

Update [2007-8-3 21:14:54 by Big Tent Democrat]: The display by some Dem Senators is one of the most pathetic spectacles I have ever seen.

Update [2007-8-3 21:19:33 by Big Tent Democrat]: McConnell's argument, the President is extorting the Senate and you must give in. Because the President will endanger the security of the Nation in order to have his way. I kid you not.

Update [2007-8-3 21:38:7 by Big Tent Democrat]: Senate in the process of approving the Bush-McConnell-Bond bill passes 60-28. Pathetic Democratic Senators includes a whole bunch of the most pathetic, rollsable Senators in our caucus you could ever imagine.