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

[itmaybetoolate]

Feingold/Dodd 08!!

[Ravoon]

Thanks to Feingold and Dodd!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Crozier]

Let me see......T­he Democratic caucus in the United States Senate, first of all, has a phony majority with independents Bernie Sanders of VT and Joseph Lieberman of CT voting with us. Bernie is a socialist so he is more liberal than the liberals. Joe Lieberman is really Likud but a closet Republican which is now made of glass with loudspeakers attached.

The majority are DLC or Yellow Dog conservatives. These individuals are Democrats in the old Dixiecrat mold who just did not become Republicans. No one knows really why they are Democrats.­..even they themselves. Many just ran on the Democratic ticket because they did not get the GOP nod. Twiddle Dee or Dum....a personality contest.

There are few liberals or progressives in the Senate. Very few are chairs of committees. The RINO delegation - since Chafee's loss - has been more attentive to their GOP conference whips and vote in line with the neocons.

Here is a fact....th­ere is NO Democratic majority in Congress at this time without the DINO, DLC and Yellow Dog members. This "majority" does not ensure that they will not vote like Republicans, either.

[separatingwheatfromchaff]

Senators Dodd and Feingold,thanks for taking a courageous stand.Mayb­e some of your colleagues that want to sweep this under the rug will have second thoughts and change their positions and votes.

[bluesnot]

Two senators. Two.

Where are the rest of the scum-sucking Dems? Playing it safe? Parroting the B.S. Republican line about how they are "protecting us from terrorists"? Collecting their paychecks from the telecom lobbyists?

Go ahead ya cowards, let Dodd and Feingold do the heavy lifting. Don't worry yourselves about doing the right thing and standing up for Americans.

[PuppaX]

Where do they say anything about a filibuster?

[macbabe]

Dodds will start it ...

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 week.

“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.”
dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/4473e/4473

[NexusSix]

Forget Obama/Clin­ton...

Feingold/Dodd is the real dem DREAM TICKET.

[XME]

Good for them. Other than that, I can only say that if it DOES pass with the immunity clause, John McCain had better not be our next president. To him, it would be like a free pass to induldge in his obsession with our "enemies" (real and perceived).

[condew]

Thankyou, Senators Dodd and Feingold, you are true patriots. As to Senate Majority Leader Reid we shall see; will Democrats have to actually filibuster, or will Reid just pull the bill like he does for Republicans? What is wrong with Speaker Pelosi that this ever got out of the house?

[WasteNJ]

These guys can't give up at this point. I'm glad my senator opposed this the last time, hopefully he does it again.

[memphispaul]

If majority leader Reid was so opposed to this bill then he would not schedule debate and consign it to the abyss.

Senator Reid is the political equivalent to a marshmallow fluff sandwich on wonder bread.

[Peace15Progress]

I called four senators' offices today to let them know my position on this bill. It only took a few minutes and it felt good to make my voice heard. If you want to help put this garbage legislation away, call your senators. Here's where you can find their offices' phone numbers: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

I made my voice heard. Will you?

[AbbieXHoffman]

IT"S NOT JUST ABOUT IMMUNITY. Ugh. Why is this the only thing getting press? It;s about our 4th Amendment rights getting further and further away from us. According to this bill, the gov can conduct mass wiretaps for a week with no warrant. Even then, they don't need individual warrants and if the courts don't give them the okay, they can still continue to wiretap. It's a joke.

Screw the fillibuster--JUST VOTE NO!

[Betsy]

The press has also neglected to advise the public that this bill allows the government to come into your home and haul you away without a warrant or being charged. Gitmo USA

[RTIII]

Wake up, Abbie!

The quotation cited BOTH the egregious anti-constitutional approach and the immunity provisions.

Also filibuster is how you KILL the bill! Well, it's one way, when you don't have the majority on your side.

BTW, the majority of DEMS oppose this bill!

[AbbieXHoffman]

"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."

It doesn't say they are going to try to strip the rest of it.

[RexPrimoris]

At least two senators are willing to show some balls on this issue and take a stand for the attempted preservation of the rule of law and accountability for breaking such laws.

[xs10shl1]

Such a sigh of relief. This is truly good news. My heros, Senators Feingold and Dodd: Thank You!! BTW, Senator Feingold, you were fantastic with Amy G. on DN! today.