Congressional Research Service Report on NSA Wiretapping: Follow up

There is little new from this article where the Congressional Research Service issued a report questioning the legality of the NSA warrantless wiretapping program. However, in light of comments made by Scott McClellan yesterday (Jan. 17, 2006), the veracity of his evasive responses on the legality of the NSA program comes into question. From the transcript on WhiteHouse.gov:

MR. McCLELLAN: But I would point out -- well, I would point out that there are a number of congressional briefings that took place over the last few years, more than a dozen. And Congresswoman Harman said that this is an essential program; this is essential to our national security, and that its disclosure has been harmful.

However, from the NY Times article:

In an interview on Wednesday, Ms. Harman, of California, said she had been invited to another briefing on the program at the White House on Friday and had urged senior administration officials to open the session to the full committees.

She declined to name the officials, but a Congressional staff member said they were Andrew H. Card Jr., the White House chief of staff; and David S. Addington, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff. Mr. Cheney's office oversees the briefings on the surveillance program.

Of the Congressional Research Service analysis, Ms. Harman said, "It's a solid piece of work, and it confirms a view I've held for a long time."

That doesn't sound like exactly full support and defense of the program. It also sounds like McClellan caught in a lie.