WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., is calling for a congressional investigation of the National Security Agency program authorizing some domestic surveillance.
The NSA program -- referred to as "terrorist surveillance" -- was initiated after Sept. 11, 2001, and allows for communications involving suspected terrorists to be monitored even in the United States and without warrants.
Since the program was revealed in December members of Congress form both parties have questioned its legality. But the White House insists President George Bush acted legally in authorizing the program, which a handful of members of Congress knew about.
Wilson's position may reflect a larger unease among Republicans about the NSA program, The New York Times said Wednesday. Wilson appears to be in for a tough re-election fight and some Republicans see investigations of the program as a way to dampen it as a political liability.
Eight members of Congress -- four from each party -- were briefed about the surveillance but Wilson told the Times she didn't think that was enough. She is seeking an investigation that would involve access to internal documents and interviews with NSA and intelligence officials, the newspaper said.
