Feingold on FISA
30 January 2008 12:11 am by Taylor Marsh
Covering the primary contest takes up all the oxygen around here right now, but following all the news is my job, even if I’m not writing about every subject. Looking at the Republicans for 2008, believing it will be McCain, unless he implodes in the debate tonight, and because electability matters and Slick Mitt is an easier target, things like honoring the Constitution come into sharp focus.
Senator Russ Feingold has a way of putting things into a soundbite. For my money, Russ Feingold is one of the best senators we’ve got. I am in awe of his dedication and continual courage to always go out on a limb. He doesn’t get half of the credit he has earned.
A lot has been going on regarding FISA and telecom immunity as some of you are likely aware. Glenn Greenwald believes we’re screwed:
After vowing yesterday to veto a 30-day extension of the Protect America
Act, the White House and Congressional Republicans today agreed to a 15-day
extension. The Senate will now proceed to vote on the various amendments
pending on the Cheney/Rockefeller bill and will then almost certainly vote
in favor of that bill in some form, granting amnesty to lawbreaking telecoms
and new warrantless eavesdropping powers to the President.Realistically, there are really only two possible ways for all of this to
be derailed: (1) the Senate passes one or more pending amendments which is
unacceptable to the White House and thus provokes a veto of the bill Congress
passes (the most likely candidates: Sen. Feinstein’s amendment declaring (again)
that FISA is the “exclusive means” for eavesdropping and/or Sen.
Feingold’s amendment compelling the disclosure to Congress of the secret FISA
court rulings which the White House claimed prompted the need for changes
to FISA in the first place); or,(2) the House stands firm with the bill it already passed and refuses to
provide telecom amnesty and new warrantless eavesdropping powers, even once
the Senate does so. At this point, option (1) seems far more likely, as the
Blue Dogs can single-handedly fulfill all the President’s demands by voting
(along with the Republicans) in favor of the Senate bill.The White House — understandably — is extremely confident that they will
win, as they always do, telling
“conservative journalists” with whom they met today: “once
the Senate votes to make FISA permanent — including immunity for the telecoms
— the House will acquiesce.” … ..
Congressional Quarterly has more on the two week extension.
TM NOTE: This is a FISA thread.
