The U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday issued a proposal statement in an effort to compromise differences between the House, Senate and Bush Administration regarding the inclusion of legal immunity for telecommunication companies who participated in warrantless government surveillance in legislation designed to update the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

The proposal does not offer retroactive immunity from legal prosecution for such companies, but allows the companies to privately present evidence without the plaintiffs of the approximately 40 pending lawsuits being present. This private review is intended to satisfy the administration’s concern that the companies cannot adequately defend themselves in the lawsuits without the disclosure of classified information that might threaten the nation’s safety.

The administration issued a responding statement expressing its concern over the proposal and reiterating its position that full immunity should be included in the legislation. The House will likely vote on the proposed legislation soon.

Source: http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2008/03/us-house-leaders-propose-compromise-on.php