Bush and Congress in surveillance standoff

If you were in a mood for political jiujutsu, it was fun to watch the debate on the House floor Thursday night.

House Republicans have harassed the Democrats over the past several weeks with procedural votes designed to split the majority party on the issue of illegal immigration.

On Thursday the Democratic leadership seemed to have found a way to use the Republicans’ own weapon against them – and GOP members seemed angry about it.

The House bill included a provision that said it did not “prohibit surveillance of, or grant any rights to” illegal immigrants.

Democrats claimed this clause was relevant to the purpose of the bill: foreign intelligence.

But they also took delight in watching Republicans protest at the inclusion of the anti-illegal immigrant provision.

“I’m really moved by the sudden concern for immigrant rights that the other side has begun to display today,” said Judiciary Committee chairman Rep. John Conyers, looking over at the Republicans.

Her voice shaking with anger, Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M. said, “This bill would extend rights under our Constitution to foreigners in foreign countries while denying the protection of the Constitution to some 12 million people who are not legally in the United States, when the case law is clear that they do have rights.”

Wilson is running for the Republican nomination for the Senate next year.

By voting against the bill — with its anti-illegal immigrant provision in it  — Republicans may have exposed themselves to campaign attack ads next year that insinuate they think illegal immigrants should have rights.

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