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

[MissingAmerica]

This not only provides retroactive immunity to the telecom industry. It also provides immunity to Bush, Cheney and any of their partners in high crimes. It's time to say no to immunity and yes to impeachement.

[Bendersky]

Thank you, Senators. Since the dems to congress, their lack of courage and fortitude has been extremely disappointing. It's almost enough to drive a man to vote Green. In fact, it still might be. We need you to strip Bush of his unilateral ability to start wars, Dems, otherwise you know he's shooting for Iran. Please. Act now. You're the one's that gave him this power afterall

Clock's ticking.

[AlisonChaynz]

Man, I wish Feingold had run for president. He is one of the few real leaders in the Democratic Party.

To help elect more good Democrats (by backing Democratic primary challenges to the likes of Steny Hoyer, Chris Carney, John Barrow, etc.) contribute to this awesome effort:

http://www.actblue.com/page/fisa

[john85msy]

Thank You! I have no idea what congress was thinking.

[Deeg]

I think Pelosi thought her name was Delay for a moment...

[PrdAmerican]

Well, at least we have two senators with the cajones to do what is right....now if the other 98 could only sprout a couple of their own and send Bush not just a no...but a HELL NO I might consider boosting my approval rating of our congress from zero to ten.

[NewtC]

Remember, the telecom immunity isn't about money. It's about forcing the telecoms to tells us who ordered them to break the law. With lawsuits we have DISCOVERY and they'll have to say who, why, when and for how long they gave our email and telephone calls to the Bush Administration.

Don't listen to jerks who say you'll have to pay more if people can sue the telecoms. This is about the Constitution and catching the Republicans.

Call Obama and ask him to show leadership on this. Obama’s senate office 866-675-2008

Call other senate offices and tell them to join the filibuster. Senator Ron Wyden from Oregon just joined. Look up zip codes for other states and call Senators from those states. Time for ACTION!
800-828-0498, 800-614-2803 or 877-851-6437

[SwingVoter]

Filibuster has always been one of my favorite words in the English language. I remember the first time I heard the word, and then looked up in the dictionary--I busted out laughing. I also thought, what an intellectual approach to protest.

Have you ever watched a filibustering session? it is amazing!

[El]

R-uss kicks butt! I wish he could be the VP but sadly he'd be tarred and feathered as a supreme LIBERAL! (Heaven forbid!) A Feingold presidency would be incredible, as would an Obama-Feingold ticket.

[MicahD]

good for them!

[sharonh]

Yes, yeah, okay, way to go, have at it, go, go, go.

[Luke2John]

AT LAST, Democrats with backbone. The spine to resist gutting our constitution.

(why, though, is this SO surprising?)

[Deeg]

I'd really like to see Reid replaced by a Dodd or Feingold style Dem. I hope I'm not the only one who feels this way ;)

[xs10shl1]

Yes, well stated Deeg; in fact, I'd like to see a whole bunch of 'em replaced with "Dodd/Fein­gold-style­" Dems!!

[RTIII]

You're in good company, my friend...

[OneVoiceInACrowd]

Should I have faith that this Amendment will strip out the immunity or is this just lip service? How many other Senators will stand with these gentlemen?

[macbabe]

list is growing as we speak,
hang out on the "O"site, backers are being posted as they come in.

[AdLib]

"O" site? You mean 0bama's official site? Where are the names posted?

[CallMeDeaconBlues]

I am just wondering if the good Senator D-odd can help me get one of those sweet heart loans from Country_Wide for my house ?

[edwarvir]

CallMeDeaconBlues Senator Dodd said he didn't know about any special deal
he was getting . He has been a
straight up guy so far in his Senate career, why not give him the benefit
of the doubt about his housing loan. I wish him and Feingold luck in there
endeavor.

[CallMeDeaconBlues]

NO what he said was that when they told him he was getting a sweet heart deal, he never asked them what exactly that was. He knew it was wrong and he is part of the folks investigating this scheme.

[TJoad]

Dodd and Feingold -- BALLS TO THE WALL!

[collprof]

Thanks to real patriots for taking this action. This bill condones the actions of telecoms who should have stood up to Bush and Cheney and said No! like some of the dot.coms did when asked to participate in breaking constitutional values.

Show your appreciation for their stand by sending both Feingold and Dodd a posted email.

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/