Senate blocks removal of telecom immunity from FISA.
In a 60-34 vote, the Senate today defeated an initial attempt “to strip immunity for telecommunications companies” out of FISA. Democratic senators “are planning at least two more amendments seeking to remove the immunity clause. If they both fail, then Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., has repeated his pledge to attempt to block a vote on the bill.” (Firedoglake and Glenn Greenwald have been following today’s debate and have more.)
UPDATE: Watch Sen. Russ Feingold’s (D-WI) remarks on the floor today here.
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FEINGOLD/KUCINICH 2008!
January 24th, 2008 at 5:21 pmPUBLISH THOSE SENATORS WHO VOTED FOR IMMUNITY NAMES AND START BLITZKRIEGING THEIR ASSES!!
January 24th, 2008 at 5:22 pmGo, Chris, Go. No Immunity. None. If the wiretap fits, you can’t acquit!
January 24th, 2008 at 5:22 pmKeep up the good work Senators, America can handle the truth!
January 24th, 2008 at 5:25 pmThese Democrats who are siding with Bush/Telco need to be skinned alive.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:26 pmGo Democrats!
Help the traitors. Push forward the fascist neo-con agenda.
Let’s not forget there are neo-libs as well. ANd they just like their neo-con counter parts are in the leadership committees.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:30 pmOne of my wonderful Senators voted with the Republicans. Mr. Ken Salazar. I hope with all my heart that he lives to regret that vote. I will do everything in my power to see that he is removed from office and couldn’t get elected to a dogcather’s position. He needs to just come clean and switch parties to a Republican because that is what he is anyway. What a piece of sh*t! I would guess he gets campaign contributions from the telco companies. I wrote him an email, but it was not accepted. Something wrong with his server. Chickensh*t.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:34 pmNO telecom immunity, a criminal act is just that, CRIMINAL. The telecom’s, Bush, Cheney should all go on trial for their crimes against America.
One of Many Bush Lies: “We don’t spy on Americans without a warrant.”
Buck Fush
January 24th, 2008 at 5:36 pmThey wouldn’t need immunity if what they did was legal.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:37 pmI wonder if Obama at least showed up to vote “Present.â€
Comment by good_golly — January 24, 2008 @ 5:31 pm
Who cares, he is one of them and so is Hillary.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:40 pmWhy does this group deserve immunity but another group doesn’t? Double standard?
January 24th, 2008 at 5:44 pm11. I wonder if Edwards bothered to show up to vote.
Comment by good_golly — January 24, 2008 @ 5:41 pm
I suppose Edward could show up and sit in the gallery, but because he is no longer a senator, he wouldn’t be able to vote.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:46 pmgood golly is working the one little talking point he has left for all it’s worth
January 24th, 2008 at 5:46 pmI presume that means that Edwards did bother to show up. If so, he should be lauded for at least showing up to do the job for which he is paid. The same cannot be said for Clinton or Obama who skipped out again.
Comment by good_golly — January 24, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
C’mon, Good Golly — Edwards is a private citizen, not a Senator. He used to be a Senator from my state, but chose not to run for re-election in 2004 because he was busy running for Vice President.
Geez — you can usually keep up better than this! Having a bad day?
January 24th, 2008 at 5:48 pm11. I wonder if Edwards bothered to show up to vote.
Comment by good_golly — January 24, 2008 @ 5:41 pm
January 24th, 2008 at 5:48 pm———————
Oh my F’ing Gawd!!! You know he’s not a Senator, right???
11. I wonder if Edwards bothered to show up to vote.
Comment by good_golly — January 24, 2008 @ 5:41 pm
I suppose Edward could show up and sit in the gallery, but because he is no longer a senator, he wouldn’t be able to vote.
Comment by missmolly — January 24, 2008 @ 5:46 pm
S L A P
That’s gonna leave a mark.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:48 pmI wonder if Edwards bothered to show up to vote.
Comment by good_golly — January 24, 2008 @ 5:41 pm
You know goon_golly, you are too stupid for words. Please tell me how John Edwards will be able to vote for anything in the Senate? The last I saw, he was no longer a Senator.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:49 pmNo bill can pass if the Dems do not want it to pass. If telco immunity and warrantless wiretapping passes, the Democrats must accept responsibility.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:49 pmI wonder if Senator Fred Thompson voted? No, wait, he’s a District Attorney now, right GG?
January 24th, 2008 at 5:50 pmNo bill can pass if the Dems do not want it to pass. If telco immunity and warrantless wiretapping passes, the Democrats must accept responsibility.
Comment by banzai26 — January 24, 2008 @ 5:49 pm
January 24th, 2008 at 5:52 pm———————-
Well said. The ball is in their court. Let’s hope they suddenly catch a case of the SPINES!
I was wrong.
Comment by good_golly — January 24, 2008 @ 5:49 pm
Yes you were and good on you for owning up to it.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:52 pmCan someone please explain to me why is it that 60 is require to move somethng in the Senate? When the Republicans where in power did they require 60 votes?
January 24th, 2008 at 5:54 pmBut still, Clinton and Obama didn’t even bother to show up. Their pay should be docked for skipping work.
Comment by good_golly — January 24, 2008 @ 5:49 pm
Same goes for McCain — he’s a senator, too.
It’s difficult to hold one office while running for another office in this country, and that’s a system that’s only getting worse. Right now, in order to keep up with the candidates who don’t have day jobs (Edwards, Giuliani, Romney, and Huckabee), the ones who do (Clinton, Obama, McCain) have to almost abandon their jobs in order to campaign and attend fundraisers — leaving New York, Illinois, and Arizona with only half their senate power.
What a waste! I wish the whole election process could be boiled down to a period of about four months instead of the two years it has become.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:54 pmHave
January 24th, 2008 at 5:56 pmClinton and Obama issued their positions on immunity for the telecoms?? If not, WHY hasn’t the press asked them about it??
I was wrong.
Comment by good_golly — January 24, 2008 @ 5:49 pm
An honest mistake. And when it starts getting closer to Miller Time, they’re easy to make. But you did provide me with a giggle for the afternoon, and for that I thank you.
Please understand I’m not giggling at you in a mean-spirited way, though. ;-)
January 24th, 2008 at 5:57 pmHenry Manchester:
Senate rules require 60 votes — instead of a simple majority of 51 — to end a filibuster. That’s a reduction from 2/3rds several years ago.
Democrats who voted against the Judiciary Committee’s substitute bill:
Evan Bayh (IN), Tom Carper (DE), Daniel Inouye (HI), Tim Johnson (SD), Mary Landrieu (LA), Clare McCaskill (MO), Barbara Mikulski (MD), Bill Nelson (FL), Ben Nelson (NE), Mark Pryor (AR), Jay Rockefeller (WV) and Ken Salazar (CO).
If any of them represent your state, SEND A FAX (not an email) urging them to come to their senses and vote AGAINST cloture of the filibuster against the Intelligence Committee’s FISA bill.
Check http://www.senate.gov for your Senator’s office email number.
January 24th, 2008 at 6:02 pmHarry Reid is a disgrace. I am fed up with these spineless Dems and their capitulation to Bush lawbreaking. Except of course Feingold and Dodd.
January 24th, 2008 at 6:02 pmCan someone please explain to me why is it that 60 is require to move somethng in the Senate? When the Republicans where in power did they require 60 votes?
Comment by HenryManchester
When the Republicans were in power and the Democrats threatened to filibuster the Republicans threatened to “go nuclear” on the filibuster (meaning killing it forever). I really do wish the Democrats had challenged them and made them do it. Maybe it’s time for the Democrats to threaten to kill the filibuster. Turnabout is fair play.
January 24th, 2008 at 6:02 pmHave
Clinton and Obama issued their positions on immunity for the telecoms??
Comment by Badger
Doubtful.
January 24th, 2008 at 6:04 pmThey wouldn’t want their phones cut off at this juncture.
Harry Reid is a disgrace. I am fed up with these spineless Dems and their capitulation to Bush lawbreaking. Except of course Feingold and Dodd.
Comment by gumby
Actually Harry Reid is trying to do the right thing this time. He was the one that lead the charge to try to keep immunity out of the bill. There really isn’t much he can do about the turncoat Democrats who are more like Republicans in the Senate who choose to play on Bush’s side of the game. I certainly hope that the states where these Senators live let them know the next time they are up for re-election what they think about their going against the wishes of their constituents.
January 24th, 2008 at 6:04 pmI was wrong.
Comment by good_golly — January 24, 2008 @ 5:49 pm
Wow. First Ari Fleischer, now gigi? I thought that admitting errors meant they take away your Chimpy sheets and jammies.
January 24th, 2008 at 6:04 pmIf no Immunity is really important to you, I challenge you all to call your own senators as well as those on the judiciary committe and loudly voice your sentiments.
I did. I also write Harry Reid almost weekly.
Also please contact Clinton and Obama and urge them to get back and do the right thing! Our constitution depends on it!
January 24th, 2008 at 6:05 pmHave Clinton and Obama issued their positions on immunity for the telecoms??
Comment by Badger
Yes, they have both said they are against giving the telcoms immunity. I also think if the vote was going to be close, they would have come back to vote. It’s kind of tough to hop on a plane, fly across the country, get off, go vote, hop back on the plane and fly back where you came from. So, I suspect that they are reserving that action for when they are really needed.
January 24th, 2008 at 6:06 pmThis is all Jay Rockefeller’s doing. Send him an e-mail at:
http://rockefeller.senate.gov/services/email.cfm
and tell him what you think of what he is doing to the constitution and to this once great country. Grab the zip code off his “contact us” page and make up an address. This will get you past his censoring if you are not from his state.
He is one evil man and I hope he rots in hell for what he is doing.
January 24th, 2008 at 6:23 pmHey “good_golly” (30) why not just take a big swig from the swirly … same diff.
January 24th, 2008 at 6:27 pmFrom Edwards today. This email shows Illinois Senators ONLY because I live IN IL.
When it comes to protecting the rule of law, words are not enough. We need action.
It’s wrong for your government to spy on you. That’s why I’m asking you to join me today in calling on Senate Democrats to filibuster revisions to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) that would give “retroactive immunity” to the giant telecom companies for their role in aiding George W. Bush’s illegal eavesdropping on American citizens.
The Senate is debating this issue right now — which is why we must act right now. You can call your Senators here:
Richard Durbin, (D): (202) 224-2152
Barack Obama, (D): (202) 224-2854
Granting retroactive immunity is wrong. It will let corporate law-breakers off the hook. It will hamstring efforts to learn the truth about Bush’s illegal spying program. And it will flip on its head a core principle that has guided our nation since our founding: the belief that no one, no matter how well connected or what office they hold, is above the law.
But in Washington today, the telecom lobbyists have launched a full-court press for retroactive immunity. George Bush and Dick Cheney are doing everything in their power to ensure it passes. And too many Senate Democrats are ready to give the lobbyists and the Bush administration exactly what they want.
Please join me in calling on every Senate Democrat to do everything in their power — including joining Senator Dodd’s efforts to filibuster this legislation — to stop retroactive immunity and stand up for the rule of law. The Constitution should not be for sale at any price.
Thank you for taking action.
John Edwards
January 24th, 2008 at 6:28 pmJanuary 24, 2008
BASTARDS!
January 24th, 2008 at 7:21 pmgood golly: “I wonder if Edwards bothered to show up to vote.”
God, that’s stupid. Typical Bush supporter.
January 24th, 2008 at 7:50 pmTheir pay should be docked for skipping work.
Comment by good_golly — January 24, 2008 @ 5:49 pm
then Bush owes us 7 years of back pay.
January 24th, 2008 at 8:26 pm“This is all Jay Rockefeller’s doing. Send him an e-mail at:
http://rockefeller.senate.gov/services/email.cfm … He is one evil man and I hope he rots in hell for what he is doing.”
Comment by bilbobaggins — January 24, 2008 @ 6:23 pm
Done. My letter:
You sir are advocating amnesty for lawbreakers.
That is a disgrace to our great nation and you must stop!
How can I explain to my 3 year old daughter that it’s ok for some people to break the law but she shouldn’t?
It’s past time to hold this administration and the telecomms accountable for their actions.
Do your sworn duty and stand up for our Constitution!
January 24th, 2008 at 10:06 pmHillary’s contact info:
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/help/contact/
Obama’s contact info:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/contact/
If it makes it easier, feel free to cut and paste;)
Dear Senator,
I am writting to urge you to return to Washington Immediately to support Senators Dodd and Feingold’s efforts to hold the Telecomms accountable for breaking the law and our trust in aiding this administrations unabashed efforts to Spy on US.
You’ve already stated that you are against immunity. So Please put your money where your mouth is and Do the right thing. Go back to Washington and show this country that you can LEAD!
January 24th, 2008 at 10:23 pmGo back to Washington and show this country that you can LEAD!
Comment by TheRadicalRightisRadicallyWrong
They’ll be there for the SOTU, w/ a still unresolved bill. They’ll be able to listen to the thing, which is our president, piss and moan about weak kneed Dems not handing him his FISA nooversight/getouttajailfreecard bill.
January 24th, 2008 at 10:52 pmDuring the presidents speech, I plan on stepping outside every 15minutes and shouting LIAR! In the hope that anyone w/in earshot not aware of this, will suddenly come to their senses.
TRRRW, you have a great point. It is amnesty…I thought that was a dirty word for righties.
January 24th, 2008 at 11:55 pmI am getting lazy. My reps (even Kohl) vote the right way. It is kind of nice and kind of frustrating at the same time. It is nice my reps are as good as they are but who do I write…Norm Coleman? Sure, we can invade Minnesota but otherwise I don’t see him listening to me.
January 24th, 2008 at 11:57 pmYOU BAKE THE LAW, YOU PAY THE PRICE!
January 25th, 2008 at 12:22 amBRAKE THE LAW… JUST MISSTYPED!
January 25th, 2008 at 12:23 amNO BAKING!
January 25th, 2008 at 12:23 amsaco, BREAK the law. I think you misunderstand the US way of doing things. If you are rich and/or powerful breaking the law is ok.
January 25th, 2008 at 12:25 amIf this was happening in a country with a serious, legitemate elected president, the congress would be surrounded by the people demanding ACCOUNTABILITY for the criminals that brake the law!
January 25th, 2008 at 12:27 amI know Sabyen91! I nearly died when I read it! English is a second language to me, but I know the diference between baking and braking! How embarassing! :)!!! I broke the baking dish
January 25th, 2008 at 12:30 amI know it is, saco. And you are make much more sense than most people here who actually vote. We are now stuck with either Hillary or McCain…a couple of Bush wannabees. I am embarassed to be an American right now.
January 25th, 2008 at 12:35 amBut seriously… people should be outraged with what is happening and begin to surroung congress! Peacefuly, quietly, but masses of people demanding their electives to do the right thing! It is so sad to see what is happening since Bush took office… I would like so much to think about ‘What would I BAKE today for dinner…” instaed be horrifyed by this criminal administration that has destroyed the USA, is destroying its economy, therefore giving the ret of the world a hell os a headake… I know it sounds conney… but Isn’t there another awy that every human in this planet can live as a big community instead the current state of affairs?! I seriously think we will not survive as a spieces… Wow!!!! I better go to the kitchen and BAKE something without BRAKING anything, after all that!!!:)
January 25th, 2008 at 12:37 amsaco, knowing the people around here there will be no protests until after the elections. Peacefully, or otherwise. But I live in a very purple, working class state.
January 25th, 2008 at 12:40 amHere’s the roll call, and yes, Clinton and Obama (as well as McCain) didn’t show up to vote. Too busy on the campain trail to defend us Americans, but they all have plenty o time to buy our votes.
Scumbags all of them.
http://www.senate.gov/ legislative/ LIS/ roll_call_lists/ roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00002#position
January 25th, 2008 at 12:50 amThanks for the roll call, Theresa. I already knew my guys voted the right way but it is nice to see the Dems that need to go down.
January 25th, 2008 at 12:56 amAnd Evan Bayh wanted to run for president. Pssssssssshhhhhhhhaw.
January 25th, 2008 at 12:57 am.
SINCE WHEN IS WARRANTLESS… LEGAL?
Congress votes to usurp the Rights that provide the People of America their “SECURITY” from Tyranny. Congress “claims” to be usurping the People of America for “National Security” ergo, Congress fails to faithfully support and defend the Constitution of the USA and instead moves toward TYRANNY. I guess the People of the USA aren’t a National interest to Congress.
T R E A S O N!
WHAT DOES CONGRESS SUPPORT AND DEFEND IF NOT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE USA?
.
January 25th, 2008 at 1:49 am.
#61 Comment by Theresa — January 25, 2008 @ 12:50 am
Well,
Nobama, (s)Hillary and McCampaign just proved that they will be “ABSENT” often when it counts,as pResident.
.
January 25th, 2008 at 1:52 amMax, it happens every presidential election. So…don’t vote for a current officeholder if it annoys you so much.
January 25th, 2008 at 1:55 am.
#66 Comment by Sabyen91 — January 25, 2008 @ 1:55 am
What annoys me so much is the abysmal reason put into the defense of the status quo.
That people “TOLERATE” this happening “every election” = APATHY!
Now, care to explain your condescension?
.
January 25th, 2008 at 2:10 amwhere do we find out how everyone voted?
January 25th, 2008 at 9:24 amI urge voters never again to support Mikulski (for whom I’ve voted in the past), Bayh (whose father’s campaigns I worked for in Indiana) and the rest of those who would sell us out. I promise that I never will!
January 25th, 2008 at 10:01 amHere’s the link & summary:
Grouped By Vote Position
YEAs —60
Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bayh (D-IN)
Bennett (R-UT)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Carper (D-DE)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Craig (R-ID)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Dole (R-NC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagel (R-NE)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Inouye (D-HI)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lieberman (ID-CT)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCaskill (D-MO)
McConnell (R-KY)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Roberts (R-KS)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Smith (R-OR)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (R-PA)
Stevens (R-AK)
Sununu (R-NH)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)
Wicker (R-MS)
NAYs —36
Akaka (D-HI)
Baucus (D-MT)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Casey (D-PA)
Conrad (D-ND)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Harkin (D-IA)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Kohl (D-WI)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Murray (D-WA)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Webb (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)
Not Voting - 4
January 25th, 2008 at 11:25 amClinton (D-NY)
Graham (R-SC)
McCain (R-AZ)
Obama (D-IL)
whoops, the link didn’t show up:
http://www.senate.gov/ legislative/ LIS/ roll_call_lists/ roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00002#name
January 25th, 2008 at 11:28 amAs Rachel Maddow pointed out on Countdown the other night, Bush is demanding that Congress to reauthorize the warrantless wiretapping program because if they don’t, we are at risk of attack from terrorists, yet he threatens to veto the legislation if they don’t give the telecoms immunity.
Certainly shows us where his priorities are.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:31 pm