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

[BEHM777]

Thank you Senator Dodd! Thank you Senator Feingold!

[ebanks84]

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YES WE DO!

YES WE CAN!

[booksnmore4you]

Great. I knew O would get someone else to get take the heat on this.

[macbabe]

Strategy!!

[nomobull]

get real they have always been a part of this .for some reason people like younand the media for some reason were trying to make obama solely responsible for fixing a mess he didn't create but did say he would do what he could to fix. OR DID YOU FORGET THAT OTHERS HAD A HAND IN CREATING THIS MESS AND STILL OTHERS WERE TRYING TO HELP FIX IT.

[pablito]

It's unfortunate that Feingold is considered among the liberal leaning progressives in the Senate. We need something more from him. Anyone catch his interview with Amy G on Democracy Now this morning? First of all, he refused to provide a simple "yes" to her question of whether he will filibuster FISA. The quotes above are double talk. He won't use the word and commit to the only aggressive response option he has available to him. Second of all, he blew off concerns about impeachment and said that the 2006 elections were about getting out of Iraq, changing domestic policy, etc. and that those things are what "the American people" really want. I find that hard to believe. The American people -- the majority, I have to believe -- want Bush et al to be impeached. IMPEACHED, Feingold! Not censured. Not dilly dallied with over distracting legislative issues. IMPEACHED. The war crimes have been confirmed. The domestic violations of the law have been confirmed. The politicization of every nook and cranny of government bureaucracy has been confirmed. IMPEACH, Feingold! Give the people what they want and stop pretending otherwise! IMPEACH!!!!!!!!!!

[RTIII]

Yes, impeach.

The two best reasons to impeach are:

1) to help avoid war with Iran

2) to help ensure he doesn't enact some '"false flag" plan

These two might be related, unfortunately. The third best reason to impeach is:

3) to ensure he can't pardon all the criminals

[Barbyrah]

Just sent Feingold and Dodd email thank yous...and sent both of my senators emails urging them to support their efforts.
Feingold and Dodd: You are too awesome for words!

[nomobull]

thank you for giving us an example of what to do in a positive way

[schicklett3]

I knew this filibuster was coming. I hope it's televised!
KUDOS!

[Deeg]

Considering the majority leader is a Dem (a spineless one granted) I doubt he'll make people in his own party filibuster. If he does, I really hope he gets replaced if the Dems pick up a few more seats for a more secure majority (sans LIEberman).

[kmac23va]

Since the filibuster has to happen on the Senate floor, C-SPAN 2 will televise it. They cover all Senate floor proceedings. Which can get boring at times when they go into an extended quorum call! Actually, Dodd is on the floor as I write this, giving his initial arguments (they're in post-cloture on the housing bill, so his time is limited right now, but when they move to FISA, he can go as long as he wants).

I just want them to legit filibuster and not just use the 60-vote threshold test they usually do, and if it fails call that a filibuster. Dodd will do it though, he's done it before recently.

[ebanks84]

I knew I loved Senator Dodd for some good reason. YES, YES, YES. And I hope they televise the filibuster. Your go Dodd and Feingold. We are right behind you.

[tchristin]

Finally someone with a little guts!

[LORISNJ]

Thank you Senators - thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you and a big THANK YOU.

[WhiteDelyte]

I'm glad somebody will stand up for me.
Obama hasn't on this issue.
And this is a BIG one.
My honeymoon with Obama is now over. He needs to step-up.
Don't become the lesser of two evils Barack.
Been there, Don't like that.
The laws broken are written in the Constitution. This isn't steroids in sports entertainment.
If the Bill of Rights no longer apply. We are all in BIG trouble.

[macbabe]

he said, he never stop fighting for that, he just needed some help so he can keep focusing on getting elected, l@@ks like he's getting some!

[sherbug]

He can't look soft on terror, so he get somebody else to filibuster. Try to think outside the box for a change. Everything is not what is appears to be. Just look at GWB.

[wm1066]

Okay Obama, the ball is in your court, are you going to do the right thing and join these two brave souls or are you in the pocket of some phone company?

[livesimply]

In the pocket of some phone company? Now that's a hoot!

[Titonwan]

I'm proud we still have a few left. In bad times, very few men have real courage. Let this be a lesson for the lily livered among us. Call your congressman and donate to moveon.org. and bug the hell out of your neighbors (they're republican, so f*ck em). Dennis, I hope you're watching and smiling! Kiss that long tall drink of water for me.

[bbbear]

It seems I backed the wrong horse. Hurray for Senators Feingold and Dodd! At last, fearless democrats who dare to lead!

[phyllip]

at least it is nice to know a couple Senators have some back bone.

[vaughan]

I really hope the succeed!