Gonzales to testify about wiretap program

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has agreed to testify before the Senate about a controversial wiretap program but limited the questions to legal issues.

Gonzales said Friday he would appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee to answer questions about the programs legality but not how the program works, CNN reports.

After The New York Times broke the story in December, President Bush admitted he authorized the National Security Agency to listen in on domestic phone calls without warrants previously needed.

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act set up a secret court the president could go to for quick and discreet warrants, and opponents of the program say Bush is illegally operating outside that court.

The White House said the program is allowed under Article II of the Constitution and the power Congress gave to Bush after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Hearings into the eavesdropping plan are expected to start in February.