[JURIST] In an extension of an earlier lawsuit [ACLU complaint, PDF; press release], the American Civil Liberties Union [press release] and the Center for Constitutional Rights [press release] filed motions [ACLU motion for partial summary judgment, PDF] in federal court in New York Thursday asking the court to immediately stop the Bush administration's warrantless surveillance program [JURIST news archive]. Both groups said they were prompted by indications that GOP senators are working with the White House to draft a law that would allow warrantless eavesdropping [JURIST report] on some communications to and from the US.

The administration has repeatedly defended the legality of NSA-directed surveillance program [JURIST document] in the face of sharp criticism from legal experts [JURIST document] and even some senior Republican lawmakers [JURIST report]. Reuters has more.