The true reason for blocking the bill [to extend warrantless wiretapping authority] was Senate-passed retroactive immunity to protect from lawsuits private telecommunications firms asked to eavesdrop by the government. The nation’s torts bar, vigorously pursuing such suits, has spent months lobbying hard against immunity.
Robert D. Novak, "Why Torts Trumped Terrorism", The Washington Post, Feb. 18, 2008.
