Dodd And Feingold Will Filibuster Telecom Immunity

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) released the following statement today in response to the announcement that the Senate this week will consider the compromise legislation that would reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA):

This is a deeply flawed bill, which does nothing more than offer retroactive immunity by another name. We strongly urge our colleagues to reject this so-called 'compromise' legislation and oppose any efforts to consider this bill in its current form. We will oppose efforts to end debate on this bill as long as it provides retroactive immunity for the telecommunications companies that may have participated in the President's warrantless wiretapping program, and as long as it fails to protect the privacy of law-abiding Americans.

"If the Senate does proceed to this legislation, our immediate response will be to offer an amendment that strips the retroactive immunity provision out of the bill. We hope our colleagues will join us in supporting Americans' civil liberties by opposing retroactive immunity and rejecting this so-called 'compromise' legislation.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) says he will support Dodd and Feingold:

"Unfortunately, the FISA compromise bill establishes a process where the likely outcome is immunity to the telecommunications carriers who participated in the President's warrantless wiretapping program. Sen. Reid remains opposed to retroactive immunity, which undermines efforts to hold the Bush Administration accountable for violating the law. Thus, he will cosponsor the amendment offered by Senators Dodd and Feingold to strip out the immunity provision, and support their efforts to strip immunity on the floor. "

Read more about Feingold's efforts to get Democrats to stand up for civil liberties here.

Comments

[felinetta]

I support both these Senators who are not timid and will stand up to the Resident in Chief. Thank you for standing up for our Constitution and American citizens. No person or institution or corporation is above the law.

[falgiano]

Thank god these men have the guts and conscience to take a stand. FISA needs to be gutted and left dead on the floor. Why is the Right thing to do always supported by so few? I'm so grateful to Dodd and Feingold and consider them the greatest of patriots for rejecting this assault on the Constitution.

[raker]

Filibuster. Yeah, sure. We get a lot of that. Then they'll call it off saying they were a vote shy to make it work. Ever since the Democrats became the majority, every day in Congress is Groundhog Day.

[researcher]

all show they will fold like a deck of cards.

they are demos get real here

bush do your alpha dog thing

[KevinLoyalAmerican]

Dear Senators Dodd & Feingold,

Thank you! For those of us who believe it is imperative that we purge our government of the criminal element brought and encouraged by the current Administration, it is the beginning of a relief and real change.

Senator Obama?

[Ariadne]

Thank you so much Chris and Russ. At least freedom and the Constitution mean something to somebody there in Washington

[fedupsquared]

FISA

Filibuster
Is
So
Appropriate!

[fedupsquared]

FISA

Freedom
Is
Sustained
Amen

[fedupsquared]

FISA

Feel
Insecure
Subsequent
Amendments

[rkrenke]

Why can't the Democrats understand that if they stood up and defended the Constitution and our civil liberties, instead of capitulating to GOP fear mongering, that their poll numbers would skyrocket?

Thank you, once again, Senators Dodd and Feingold for standing for the People and the Rule of Law. I have written to both of my senators and can only hope that they understand the importance of supporting your amendment to strip telecom immunity from the FISA bill.

[JessWonderin]

The spineless Dems seem to think we "elected" them to 'hope for change" instead of LEADING change.

If the Dems had gotten behind Dodd and Russ and told Nancy to pack up and go HOME, we would have a Congress with numbers higher than the National Debt . . . . and an Administration looking at retirement though bars . . . .

Rekindle "hope", DUMP FISA immunity . . .

[heal57]

Great post, Jess.

[bluesnot]

Maybe 'cuz the telecom industry donations are more important than poll numbers.

[Deidroni]

Let's hope Obama joins them in their dissent.

Who else will stand for the Constitution?

Byrd, Boxer, Clinton, Kennedy, Whitehouse, Durbin, Inouye, Akaka, Leahy, Kerry, and maybe a few more.

[chlllfactor]

My Senator said that Senator Obama is going to co-sponsor the amendment to strip the immunity clause out of the bill. Senator Reid is the other sponsor.

[fedupsquared]

FISA

Fourth!
Immunity
Surpasses
Amenment?

[Lerk4]

And if I remember correctly -- our future President indicated he would work to do that on Monday, but alas, so many doubters on Huff Post and beyond.

OBAMA '08

[dizmo4]

Obama can't filibuster or the republicans would paint him as soft on terror. I know it's a cold calculated political move, but a President Obama could rescind any legislation. A President McCain is far worse for the constitution than taking a hit with this. He'll continue most of Bush's policies if not be more aggressive.

John Dean pointed out and from reading the legislation I agree that the current FISA bill does nothing to extend criminal immunity to the telecoms. A President Obama and Attorney General John Edwards could aggressively go after these telecoms and other corporations the Bush administration used to circumvent the constitution.

I think going after the telecom immunity and voting against FISA is all we'll see Sen. Obama do.

[Barbyrah]

So, what does a leader who's committed to "No more politics as usual" do when the Repubs do their standard "But he's soft on terrorism" schtick?
Obama's response is typical. No change. Absolutely NONE. Yet here's an opportunity to truly meet this challenge in an entirely different way, in a way that would ELEVATE the discourse.
He told us he would never lie to us. 'I"ll always tell you the truth." Well, if he's playing the political game, then he's lying to us. And we know it. And it's unacceptable.
Why not TELL US THE TRUTH??? Why not tell us: This argument has been used over and over again by Repubs. And here's why: When people are frightened, they feel comforted by someone who says "I'll get the evil doer. I'll protect you."
"I know it would be the politically expedient thing to do to backtrack on this bill. Many of my consultants, in fact, told me to reverse course. But ethically, I cannot." Then...tell us exactly the breadth and depth of the data mining that's done, the potential uses and ABUSES of that data, the actual number of "attacks" that have been prevented as a result of all the data mining, etc. TELL US THE REALITY BEHIND THE WIRETAPPING THAT'S BEEN GOING ON.
Bottom line: We're not going to move forward as a country if decisions continue to be made based on fear, whether it's fear of being attacked...or fear of not getting elected.

[themodernleader]

In our degenerating country, responsible leadership is so vacant that the only way to save the Constitution is through filibuster of two courageous, responsible elected officers.
Where are all the other elected officers who took an oath to defend the Constitution? Their absence in this battle makes them as guilty as the miscreants. Senators Dodd and Feingold: Your brave actions will be their own reward. And you may sleep well at night knowing that you placed responsibility in the same position as authority. May the Almighty always be at your side.
For the other elected officers of both parties: You used our constitutional processes to gain power and position. Now you turn your back on defending those rules of governance for those who may wish to follow in your footsteps. You exhibit igniminous, incompetent administration. You have forsaken the right to hold your position and left it damaged for those following you. If you have a conscience, you may lay awake at night for the rest of your lives asking yourself why you refused to meet the oath of your Office when credibility of our System of Government demanded that you do so. It is still not too late to bring duty to the same level with right.

[chappelforpres]

Way to go boys. Lets exploit that momentum and turn "business as usual" on its head. Screw Bush and the telecom lobbyists trying to cut a deal. The phone companies can defend themselves. We want to know when Bush began his illegal wiretapping campaign, plus the hows and whys of warrantless phone taps. Deja Watergate?

I've sent emails to Barack & Michele Obama stating that the FISA Bill is a very important integrity test. Probably more important than attempting to corral various votes by appearing tough on terrorism and conveniently siding with existing Republican practices (700,000 names?). With Dodd and Feingold in front, Obama can do more without risking more political capital. He's already come out against the retroactive immunity clauses. Let's see what else he can accomplish.

Like or not, he the most electable hope we have.

[mostlyharmless]

wow . . . senators who took their oath to uphold the constitution seriously

[dr4Will]

thank you-thank you -thank you---men of their word, unlike obama!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!

[bluesnot]

Dobson gets the headline? Not the protection of the Constitution?

Too embarrassing for Mr. GQ?

[christieZ]

Obama will also co-sponsor.