Finally, a resounding defeat for the Total Information Awareness project -- "House and Senate negotiators have agreed that a Pentagon project intended to detect terrorists by monitoring Internet e-mail and commercial databases for health, financial and travel information cannot be used against Americans." The conferees also voted to restrict further research on the program absent "extensive consultation with Congress."

The only way this vote will not become law is if the Senate and House fail to agree on the total Spending Bill in which TIA is buried. Or, if Bush vetoes the Congressionally approved bill.

One of the principal objections Congress had to the bill involved the participation of John Poindexter.

Several members of Congress have said that the admiral was an unwelcome symbol because he had been convicted of lying to Congress about weapons sales to Iran and illegal aid to Nicaraguan rebels, an issue with constitutional ramifications, the Iran-contra affair. The fact that his conviction was later reversed on the ground that he had been given immunity for the testimony in which he lied did not mitigate Congressional opinion, they said.

Praise goes to Senator Charles E. Grassley, the Iowa Republican who co-sponsored the Wyden amendment. Grassley said,

"Protecting Americans' civil liberties while at the same time winning the war against terrorism has got to be top priority for the United States. Congressional oversight of this program will be a must as we proceed in the war against terror. The acceptance of this amendment sends a signal that Congress won't sit on its hands as the TIA program moves forward."