Intelligence
Work Continues On Spying Bills Despite Veto Threats
     Democrats and Republicans in both chambers clashed this week over bills that would restrict the Bush administration's spying powers. Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee successfully amended a bill to overhaul the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and defeated Republican efforts to change the bill. On a party-line 10-9 vote, the panel approved Democratic substitute language. Democrats also approved an amendment that would require all FISA revisions to expire in four years. The panel later approved the legislation, and the House passed a similar bill. President Bush has threatened to veto both measures in part because they would not grant immunity to telecommunications companies that reportedly helped the Bush administration spy on terrorism suspects. Both the technology industry and online activists lobbied for such language. Industry wants more consistency in the rules for accessing customers' information, and online activists want to be able to sue telecom firms for aiding surveillance efforts.

Television
Martin Offers Proposal To Ease Media Ownership Rules
     A federal ban on a single company owning a major newspaper and broadcast outlet in the same city would be lifted in the nation's 20 largest markets under new rules proposed by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. The combinations would have to fulfill several conditions to ensure they satisfy the public interest, the agency said. The agency has planned a Dec. 18 vote on altering the media-ownership restrictions, and congressional committees are planning December hearings to further review the FCC's plans. During a conference call with reporters, Martin said his proposal involves "a relatively moderate change" that is warranted to strengthen struggling newspapers. Lawmakers and watchdogs quickly blasted the announcement. "The FCC still has not completed a separate proceeding with a thorough study of the impact of media concentration on localism," Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said in a reference to broadcaster commitments to local coverage.

Crime
House Passes Series Of Bills Aimed At Web Crime, Porn
     The House overwhelming passed legislation that would create a special counsel within the Justice Department to coordinate prosecution of child-exploitation cases across the federal government and to bolster regional task forces on Internet crimes against children. The 415-2 vote was one of a series on bills aimed at Internet crime. "Parents cannot stand over their kids' shoulders 24/7," Florida Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who sponsored the measure, said at a press briefing before the vote. The House also passed legislation that would make it a crime for adults to lie about their ages online in order to lure minors for sexual conduct. That vote was 417-0. Two other bills targeting child pornography were passed during the week. The House also passed bills that would require the FTC to expand its Internet safety agenda and continue federal funding of a program that teaches kids how to be safe on the Internet.

Labor
Senate Panel OKs Bill To Expand Telework Eligibility
     The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved a bill to make more federal employees eligible to work from home or other remote sites. The bill, S. 1000, was adopted by unanimous voice vote. It would make all federal employees eligible to telework unless they fall under categories that would prohibit it. Current law makes all federal employees ineligible to telecommute unless granted permission. Employees who handle secure materials, work in protecting national security or the intelligence field, or have a job requiring their physical presence still would be ineligible. An amendment, which was approved by voice vote, set the definition of telework in the legislation as working away from the office at least 20 percent of each pay period. Co-sponsor Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, said the bill would help ease traffic congestion in cities, leading to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption.

Crime
Nevada Lawmaker Blasts Fight Against E-Gambling
     A House Democrat blasted the federal government's recent efforts to curtail Internet gambling. Shelley Berkley, whose district includes Las Vegas and southern Nevada, told the House Judiciary Committee that that United States has caused consternation among trading partners by actions against e-gambling. The United States has been under fire at the World Trade Organization for banning some online wagering but still allowing online bets on horse races and in state lotteries. A new law also blocks the financial industry from processing bets to e-gambling sites, and the Justice Department has pursued cases against e-gambling businesses. Berkley has introduced a bill calling for a comprehensive study on Internet gambling and the impact of the federal ban. "The reality is that this study should have been conducted before the ban on Internet gambling was passed," she said. But committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., began the hearing by describing gambling as a "social evil."

Net Governance
U.S. Observers Oppose Call For 'Internet Bill Of Rights'
     Italy's top-ranking communications official called for the creation of an "Internet bill of rights" and a "high commissioner of Internet rights" to oversee the international evolution of the World Wide Web. Luigi Vimercati, a former professor of history and philosophy who now heads the country's communications ministry, was one of roughly a dozen political leaders who addressed the Internet Governance Forum in Brazil. The event was webcast. A task force is working on a blueprint for such a document. The effort will be "a long and difficult process" that would involve "establishing governance principles of the largest existing space in world," Vimercati said. The Internet has introduced "radical changes in every dimension of human behavior," from economic to social and political relationships, he said. Still, efforts by some to stymie free speech "show shortcomings of the measures adopted so far." The forum ended on a high note.

Campaigns
Repeat House Candidates Raise Big Money Online
Some Democrats defeated in House races last year have kept close to the party's online fundraising resources while preparing for next year's contests. Darcy Burner of Washington, Donna Edwards of Maryland and Christine Jennings of Florida all have collected significant donations for 2008 campaigns, including steady flows of online contributions. Burner, a former manager at Microsoft, has raised more than $500,000 this election cycle. She has received nearly $120,000 through ActBlue, an online clearinghouse that directs donations to Democratic candidates. GOP Rep. Dave Reichert edged out Burner last November by less than 3 points. Edwards, who narrowly lost in a Democratic primary race last year, has netted more than $200,000 through ActBlue. A coalition of liberal blogs recently helped raise $100,000 for Edwards. And Jennings, who lost to Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan by less than 400 votes, has received roughly $17,000 through ActBlue.