“I'm honored that Chairman [Pat] Roberts selected me to help oversee this program,” Hatch said in a statement. “I have said, since this issue was first raised, that if we can improve congressional oversight - without restricting the flexibility the president needs - we should try to do it. I believe Chairman Roberts has found the right approach with this subcommittee.”

Roberts, R-Kan., said the creation of the panel, made up of seven members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is “an accommodation with the White House,” which approved the panel. The three Democrats had not been announced Wednesday evening.

Hatch was scheduled to participate in a meeting of the group at the White House this afternoon.

It was a disappointment to Democrats, who had sought a full investigation by the committee.

"The committee - to put it bluntly - basically is in the control of the White House," Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., told The Associated Press.

Hatch has repeatedly defended the administration's program, stating he believes the president has the authority to conduct warrantless surveillance, regardless of restrictions placed on wiretaps by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, passed by Congress in 1978.

The act generally requires a warrant from a special court to conduct such activity. The Bush administration has said it monitored communications of suspected terrorists overseas who were making calls to individuals in the United States as part of the president's wartime powers.

In addition to Hatch and Roberts, Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, and Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond, R-Mo., will be on the panel.

“All three are outstanding senators and are experienced in national security matters. I look forward to working with them and my Democrat colleagues, whoever they might be, as we oversee this vital program,” said Roberts.

Caroline Fredrickson, director of the ACLU's Washington legislative office, said that by making a deal with the White House, the intelligence committee is failing in its duty to “conduct a full and impartial inquiry into the illegal activities of the executive branch.”

“The White House has continued to stonewall Congress, with the acquiescence of many members of the president's party. The deal that has been announced would whitewash this illegal program,” she said.

“It is profoundly disappointing to see lawmakers willing to lower the bar to allow the president vast powers to spy on Americans."

gehrke@sltrib.com