[Alberto R. Gonzales] repeatedly was asked by Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee why President Bush had authorized the spying without asking for changes to existing wiretapping laws -- which outlaw the use of the National Security Agency's powerful intelligence surveillance capabilities on U.S. soil without court approval.

"Presidents throughout our history have authorized the warrantless surveillance of the enemy during wartime, and they have done so in ways far more sweeping than the narrowly targeted terrorist surveillance program authorized by President Bush," Gonzales said.

HEARING: GOP Sens. [John Cornyn], from left, [Arlen Specter] and [Lindsey Graham] confer as Atty. Gen. Alberto R. Gonzales testifies.; PHOTOGRAPHER: Chip Somodevilla Getty Images