Feingold: "I Really Do Disagree" With Reid On FISA

A long-debated provision over whether or not telephone companies would get a free pass for aiding the U.S. government in warrentless surveillance hits the Senate floor today. And it threatens to open up fissures within the Democratic Party.

In an interview with the Huffington Post on Thursday morning, Sen. Russ Feingold, who opposes granting immunity to those companies, expressed disappointment that his party's leader, Sen. Harry Reid, was not doing more to help strike the provision from a newly considered version of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

"Of course I have great respect for the Majority Leader," said Feingold. "He is a good friend of mine. But I really do disagree with his way of proceeding."

At issue is the likely passage of a version of FISA that contains retroactive immunity over one that doesn't. Reid has said he supports the former, but legislatively, the path has been paved for the passage of the latter. In addition, there is debate over an amendment offered by Sen. Chris Dodd, to strip immunity from any FISA bill. If that fails -- and it seems likely -- Dodd has threatened to filibuster the whole bill. On Wednesday, Reid was interpreted as saying any such filibuster will be the standing and talking variety as opposed to an agreed-upon 60-vote minimum threshold. Feingold, who supports Dodd's stance, took slight issue with that approach.

"We should have a normal process were this is debated based on a majority vote in the senate," said the Wisconsin Democrat. "That's the way it should have been done and I regret that it's not being done that way. Of course, I support Senator Dodd. He and I were principally involved in making sure this didn't get jammed through before the holidays and I will be supporting him again. But this decision does make it harder."

Speaking on the Senate floor Thursday morning before the debate, Reid addressed these concerns. He noted that he himself supported the Judiciary Committee version of the FISA bill, which would not give telecom companies a free ride from potential lawsuits.

Later in the day, however, that measure was tabled by a vote of 60 to 36. The Majority Leader has previously argued that, in the absence of the Judiciary bill, the Senate would consider the Intelligence Committee version, which grants immunity. Senators who objected to any amendment -- such as the one to be offered by Dodd -- would have to stand and argue for as long as they could.

"Senators Dodd and Feingold will seek to strike the immunity title entirely. I oppose immunity, and will support their amendment," said Reid. "If this amendment is not adopted, there will be other amendments to limit the immunity provisions in the Intelligence bill... As I have said before, if there are senators who don't like these amendments and think they should be subjected to 60-vote thresholds, these senators are going to have to engage in an old-fashioned filibuster."

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By the end of Thursday debate had been postponed to Monday, after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell moved for a vote on cloture on the Intelligence committee version and Reid objected.

Senator Dodd was spared having to filibuster. But if it does resort to that, Feingold said he will do what he can to help strip telecom immunity from any measure.

"I started this fight two years ago when they first announced the illegal program and I've been working on it every day," he said. "And it has been a great help that Chris Dodd made it a part of his presidential campaign and now that he is back to work with me and others... It's a big help. It's very hard to do it alone."

Feingold was also happy to have the support of both Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton. The two Democratic frontrunners have said they oppose retroactive immunity. But, with the primary season heating up, it is unlikely they will offer anything more than rhetorical assurances.

"I'd love to have them back," said Feingold. "But it is not my job to tell them what to do on their campaigns. My understanding is that both of them have indicated support for what Senator Dodd and I are doing. So that's good. If we see real opportunity for a vote we can win, then yes. I would love to have them back."

Comments

[hypnus]

While they are at it, why not give immunity to anyone for anything done in the last 7 years? That way I could go back to Alabama and not worry about that under age thing hounding me.

[OfficialA]

I understand Harry is lounging with Joe Lieberman out in the aisle today. They have a soft blanket and a picnic basket. I think they think it's festival seating. I sure hope they don't start making out.

[zippywpinhead]

sent to Clinton and Obama:
Please pass this msg on to Senator XXX: I truly hope you will take time out from your campaign to be on the floor to support Feingold and Dodd in the fight against retroactive immunity in the FISA bill. As an independent who has recently registered democrat in order to have my voice heard in my upcoming primary (and one who has not yet made a decision on a candidate), I must stress that actions speak louder than words- talk is cheap. I'm looking for a candidate that changes the status quo, not one who simply repeats the word 'change' over and over for my vote... Do the right thing and represent "we the people" here and now by doing the job that you've been elected to do- I promise you that this will mean far more to me and many others than the campaign appearances you would otherwise be doing.
Thank you,
XXX

sent via their respective 'contact us' pages on their websites- I'm sure that this isn't what they intended it for, but screw 'em... it's about time they listened to us for a change.

[batgirlevi]

Allowing the telecoms (like at&t) retroactive immunity for knowingly breaking the FISA law not out of patriotism as they try to spin it, but for money is so outrageous it makes me sick!!

[charlietuna11]

IVE WONDERED FROM THE VERY BEGINNING IF REID WAS HAND PICKED BY THE WHITE HOUSE.IF HE IS THEIR BEST LEADER,THERES LITTLE HOPE FOR THE PARTY AND THEIR SUPPORTERS.I IMAGINE THE GOP ERS IN THE SENATE AND WHITE HOUSE MUST LITERALLY SHAKE IN THEIR BOOTS WHEN HE TAKES THE SENATE FLOOR.INSTEAD OF INVESTIGATING BUSH/CHENEY, THEY SHOULD FIRST INVESTIGATE THE PARTY LEADERSHIP SELECTION.IT WOULDNT SURPRISE ME IF THEY RECRUITED JOE LIKUD LIEBERMAN TO BE THEIR NEXT MAJORITY LEADER. SHOULD OF KEPT MY MOUTH SHUT, THEY MAY NOT HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT YET..

[jqcitizen]

Last time I watched a filibuster was Sen. Ried in a all-nighter reciting passages from a book he wrote about his childhood in Searchlight, Nevada. It was so interesting I went and bought the book.
I don't think Sen. Dodd would do anything other than read the Constitution when he gets a chance to filibuster. When he finishes maybe we will read that document that is about to be shredded.

[outnow]

I sent money to Dodd to "reinforce" his views. Now if some of you others would do the same thing with Feingold, we could use our collective financial muscle to help enforce our constitutional rights.

Until the campaign financing laws are amended and Supreme Court precedent over ruled, the multinational corporations are being heard and your voices are not.

Funny how that corporation is probably in the Cayman Islands with a Swiss bank account for the CEO who is the south of France. That CEO is not afraid of the "terrorists," he wants favors in return from the current administration.

Send money and letters supporting those who stand up for the constitution. Money "buys" more justice.

[ahornick]

I just sent this to my Senators -

"Giving everyone Bush talked into breaking the law a pass with immunity is wrong now, was wrong in the past (Libby) and will be wrong in the future!

I also ask that you talk to the Democratic Senators asking to be our next POTUS to prove their leadership now and return to Washington to standby Senator Feingold in opposing this FISA legislation. They need to demonstrate their leadership now if they want a vote in November."

[Bobleblah1]

Feingold is actually a politician that I still have a lot of respect for.
I hope he doesn't let the cowardly democrats kill his soul and render him to empty suit status like they are.

PS. Harry Reid is one of the worst Senate leaders ever.
I mean if your this guy, why even go to work?
He would accomplish as much for the left if he never got out of bed. Seriously what meaningful role is Harry Reid playing which benefits any of us in the real world?

[ichbineinhofer]

Where is that scumbag Spector on this one? Why are all of these rants against the democrats? Aren't the repuglicants for law and order any more?

[HumeSkeptic]

"The President and I agree on one thing. The threat from terrorism is all too real. There is simply no question that we continue to face new challenges in the wake of the attack on September 11th and that we must be ever-vigilant in protecting our citizens from harm.


Where we disagree is that we have to break the law or sacrifice our system of government to protect Americans from terrorism. In fact, doing so makes us weaker and more vulnerable." - Al Gore

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2006/01/16/the-full-text-of-al-gore_n_13930.html

[patriotscholar]

I wonder if the administration told the telecoms that they had no need to worry, that they would cover them if problems came up? It seems possible that they might have done so, as I am certain that any corporate attorney worth his salt would have objected to such a request by the administration.

Or, they simply told the telecoms that that had indeed obtained permission or consent which they had not.

Either way, what was done was illegal and should be prosecuted by law.

[woundedduck]

Kind of ironic that Reid threatens an actual filibuster when his own party stymies him, but when the stinking Repubs filibuster, Reid slinks away, too afraid to ruffle ant feathers.

[Purple Girl]

Russ is a True Patriot!
He has been on the money everytime.
fissure in the Dem Party- No
fissure with the Dems and the spineless F*cks who claimed affliation during '06.
Reid, Pelosi, Clintons, Feinstein, Levin, ... are not by any means Dems in this 26 yr voting Dem Record. Perhaps it should be considered a peeling off of those who have been parasites to the collective- from both parties. They have blown as much smoke up th easses of th eRelgious Right as they have up the Environmentalists. this beast is the Corporationist Party. Privatize everything, supply and demand, Investors and dividends- all resting on the shoulders of Human labor- now and Future.
what would be better is to work both sides against this 'middle'- There are Humanists both from the Religious sector and the spiritual sector- many values exactly the same-grab an arm and let's put their feet to the fire. Because they have no intentions of just walking away from it all.STOP BUYING THEIR SHIT - LITERALLY & FIGURATIVELY and many of the problems that plagued us will be resolved.
These industries and Institutions work for US, not the other way around. Make them OUR Bitches once again to help mankind as they were intended.

[unclejim]

do any of you ppl understand how long and hard it's been JUST to get this far ?
well, we need one more election and possibly we'll have BOTH houses in congress AND the executive
no thanks to all the "throw them all out crowd"
and all the little muckraking snipers in the blogosphere (are you listening arianna ?)
the democratic party has been the party of the ppl since lincolns party WAS the party of the ppl
if you don't understand we live in a 2 party system and know who the 'good guys' are ,
well, i feel sorry for you
you and ralf nader and dennis and all the idiots are who say "throw them all out" ! what a stupid and imean STUPID thing to say !
do you want another republican administration as much as lou dodds and mathews and cafferty and murdochk and arianna want ?
or are you going to get over yourself and ...
.
.
VOTE DEMOCRAT BABY !