Dodd and Wyden succeed in postponing FISA vote
Earlier today, Senator Chris Dodd led a filibuster against the warrantless-wiretapping legislation that includes immunity for telecom companies. While the Senate voted 76-10 to invoke cloture, Dodd succeeded in getting the bill pulled until 2008.
The ten Senators who voted against cloture were Barbara Boxer (CA), Sherrod Brown (OH), Maria Cantwell (WA), Ben Cardin (MD), Chris Dodd (CT), Russ Feingold (WI), Tom Harkin (IA), John Kerry (MA), Bob Menendez (NJ), and Ron Wyden (OR).
As a member of the Intelligence Committee, Senator Wyden voted against the bill in committee (along with Senator Feingold). In committee, Senator Wyden had previously succeeded in inserting a provision ensuring that Americans keep their rights even when they go overseas. (See Witigonen's coverage.)
Writing at DailyKos, front-page blogger McJoan notes that Senator Ron Wyden played a key role again today:
Early this afternoon, Senators Wyden and Dodd had a lengthy exchange on the floor about the fact that only the Intelligence Committee members, Judiciary Committee leaders, and a few in leadership had the opportunity of seeing the legal justification for it's warrantless surveillance programs. They argued, effectively, that this information should be shared with all Senators before they make this critical vote on telco amnesty.
Writing at "Not a Well-Behaved Woman", blogger Oregonian37 makes it plain:
Fortunately, Dodd, along with a helping hand from several other senators (including our own Ron Wyden) succeeded in getting the debate and vote on FISA shelved until January. Hopefully this will give the Senate the time to do, as Wyden suggests, READ the damn thing.
At Middle Earth Journal, blogger Ron Beasley notes that Senator Gordon Smith cast (yet another) vote canceling out Ron Wyden's vote - and makes the case for Jeff Merkley:
Yes, Chris Dodd really does love America. Now the battle is far from over. The spineless Democrats like Harry Reid and Dianne Feinstein are still looking for ways to buckle under to White House pressure. This is an excellent example of why it is necessary to get more freedom loving progressive Democrats in the Senate. We have a chance to do that here in Oregon. Jeff Merkley had this to say today. ...Now the Oregonian is trying to convince you that Gordon Smith is a moderate but his voting record shows he's a wingnut who has supported George W. Bush 98% of the time. Gordon Smith may represent the Oregonian but he doesn't represent Oregon. Jeff Merkley will!
Merkley issued a statement taking Gordon Smith to task:
Once again, while Senator Wyden is in the trenches fighting to protect our rights, Gordon Smith supported amnesty for telecom giants who turned over the private records of law abiding Americans. ...It isn't clear to most members of Congress, much less the American public, why exactly these telecom companies deserve immunity. Did they break the law? Did they help the President spy on Americans? And why should Congress give them a free pass if they violated the constitutional guarantee of privacy for ordinary Americans?
Those questions absolutely must be answered by this administration before Congress acts on the FISA overhaul.
Update: Steve Novick issued a statement on Tuesday:
Senator Reid showed good judgment yesterday in putting off consideration of flawed legislation that would have provided our telecommunications' industry with a blanket get-out-of-jail-free card for their role in wiretapping Americans' phone calls. It is my hope that with this additional time, Senator Dodd and other voices of reason in the Senate caucus can convince their colleagues that protecting our nation does not require stomping on the Bill of Rights.
Discuss.
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Dec. 17, 2007
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11:31 p.m.
Dec 17, '07
Let's hope Reid figures out where his team huddles for a change and moves responsibly using the SJC version of the bill as the base bill after the Holiday recess is over. Though by then we are into actual primary elections and caucuses, so he would have to actually control when motions go to a vote to not screw our candidates over or wrong-foot any particular candidate on the timing of votes.
Dec 17, '07
Reid's mishandling of FISA, along with the countless other capitulations he's permitted, is making people think hard about getting more suitable leadership for the Senate Democrats. Jim Webb's name has been bandied about for quite a while, but today's action by Dodd lead many to consider him a viable replacement for Reid. Dodd really seems to care about this country, and his party. He's not going to win the presidency, and while a cabinet position might look nice, he could affect far more change as majority leader of the Senate. Webb, or even Wyden could be right there with him, holding the Repub's feet to the fire for a change, instead of offering to get them more cocoa like Reid does while the R's watch the Dems agenda go up in flames.
Dec 18, '07
Kudos to Dodd. He would make a forceful, convincing Senate Majority Leader, a much needed replacement to Reid, the incarnation of passivity and weakness.
Why are Republicans so adamant about spying on Americans? Don't they know they are enabling a future Democratic to spy on them?
8:01 a.m.
Dec 18, '07
it was great seeing Cantwell's name on that list. after her Supreme Court votes and various other acts of Reid-iness, to see her make the right vote for a change is heartening. maybe she's finally understanding, like Wyden began to a few years ago, that taking progressive stands on the issues is actually a good thing. both for career and the actual purpose of being in DC: representing the people and upholding the Constitution.
9:15 a.m.
Dec 18, '07
Let's hope Reid figures out where his team huddles for a change and moves responsibly using the SJC version of the bill as the base bill after the Holiday recess is over.
Indeed.
Dec 18, '07
Here is an easy rule of thumb for Ron Wyden when it comes to deciding what stand to take on an issue or how to vote: If he votes with Russ Feingold, he is almost always sure to do the right thing. If he plans to vote with Gordon Smith he had better think it over or, better still, come back to Oregon and listen to the people.
Dec 18, '07
I think Ron Wyden cares about due process. I also think he may be realizing that Democrats are only a little less disgusted with their own elected federal officeholders than they are with the Republicans.
I wrote a note to DSCC this morning saying that I will consider contributing when Harry Reid is replaced by someone who will do something about Shrub/Cheney.
DCCC will get a similar message about Pelosi.
10:17 a.m.
Dec 18, '07
Ooooh, can't ya just hear Bush stomping his widdle biddy feeties, "No Fair! No Fair!" Kudos to Ron, Maria, and all those who supported Chris Dodd. Now is a good time to call our Senators and those listed and thank them. And call Slick Gordy and ask him why he votes to support Chancellor Bush's gestapo policies that violate citizen's rights? Sen Cantwell will be on KPOJ Morning 6~9AM Show sometime on Wednesday I think, I'm sure the FISA bill will be discussed.
Dec 18, '07
I don't think the U.S. Senate can reorganize (which would be necessary to choose a new majority leader) before the next election. There may be actual rules governing when such a reorganization can take place; I don't know. But as good Democrats, we certainly wouldn't want to risk a reorganization with a 1 vote majority, especially when that one vote is Lieberman. He's too likely to vote for a Republican majority leader.
11:21 a.m.
Dec 18, '07
FYI: We've just updated this post with a statement from Steve Novick.
11:43 a.m.
Dec 18, '07
Kudos to Ron, Maria, and all those who supported Chris Dodd. Now is a good time to call our Senators and those listed and thank them.
Exactly, Glen.
We Constitutional activists wake up every day with our knives in hand. We've been rightly screaming at the Bushies and their patsies for years about deploying the Carrot in foreign policy issues. We are stunned at their stupidity whenm they use only the Stick.
We also continuously Stick it to our Allies/Servants in DC to do the right thing. But basic psychology dictates that we praise our own when they do the right thing.
Positive reenforcement works equally well on:
children dogs terrorists enemy nations spouses friends senators representatives
Maybe we oughta try some more of that. After all, they don't give us that many opportunities to applaud.
We're damned lucky to have one of the very few senators to show concern about the rule of law representing us.
One of fourteen out of 100 yesterday for example.
12:27 p.m.
Dec 18, '07
It's a little disappointing that Steve Novick didn't thank Wyden, though praising Reid when he did a right thing (narrow context) looks like evidence that when he talks about standing strong for what he believes he's not oblivious to diplomacy.
I'm going to call Wyden's office to thank him, or leave a message on his website. He should know we appreciate it when he does the right thing.
Dec 18, '07
Good point, Chris. Merkley thanks Ron, Novick only thanks Dodd and Reid.
Dec 19, '07
and Candy Neville requests something else from Ron Wyden: 12/19/07: RON WYDEN, PLEASE MOVE GETTING OUT OF IRAQ TO FIRST POSITION: "A partnership in peril," by David Steves of the Register Guard reports about the respectful and close relationship between Democrat Senator Ron Wyden and Republican Senator Gordon Smith. They have a mutually faithful "longstanding pledge that neither of them would go negative against the other." Though I admire the fine manners of both and their willingness to work civilly together, I would ask Senator Ron Wyden to remember the best interest of his constituents and indeed the Great State of Oregon. The next senator should be elected, not at the pleasure and ease of Ron Wyden, but the massive needs of the people. The Iraq war wages and U.S. soldiers daily lose life and limb, While I admire Smith and Wyden supporting emergency shelter, this is a task done with exceptional results by many others. What isn't done exceptionally well by many others, is getting out of Iraq. The lip service Gordon Smith provides to the cause of ending the invasion in Iraq, is weak and powerless in getting us out of there. His voting record on this issue is dismal and indeed sorrowful if you are one of the soldiers or their families who are trapped in this war. Returning our soldiers to safety and strength here at home, equipping them to be ready to strengthen our homeland security and protect us here, needs to be a top priority in daily action, Gordon Smith was one of 76 senators who signed a statement connecting Iran with terrorists, bringing that simple phrase under the "war against terror" of George Bush and increasing our vulnerability to attack Iran. Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden's friendship is admirable and I hope life lasting, but I call on Ron Wyden to do everything to end the war in Iraq and to do so by wholeheartedly supporting the removal of his trusted and amiable friend, Gordon Smith. I call on Ron Wyden to do everything in his polite power to put a Democrat Senator in who shares the views of his party and recognizes the needs of the people.
Dec 19, '07
and Candy Neville requests something else from Ron Wyden: 12/19/07: RON WYDEN, PLEASE MOVE GETTING OUT OF IRAQ TO FIRST POSITION: "A partnership in peril," by David Steves of the Register Guard reports about the respectful and close relationship between Democrat Senator Ron Wyden and Republican Senator Gordon Smith. They have a mutually faithful "longstanding pledge that neither of them would go negative against the other." Though I admire the fine manners of both and their willingness to work civilly together, I would ask Senator Ron Wyden to remember the best interest of his constituents and indeed the Great State of Oregon. The next senator should be elected, not at the pleasure and ease of Ron Wyden, but the massive needs of the people. The Iraq war wages and U.S. soldiers daily lose life and limb, While I admire Smith and Wyden supporting emergency shelter, this is a task done with exceptional results by many others. What isn't done exceptionally well by many others, is getting out of Iraq. The lip service Gordon Smith provides to the cause of ending the invasion in Iraq, is weak and powerless in getting us out of there. His voting record on this issue is dismal and indeed sorrowful if you are one of the soldiers or their families who are trapped in this war. Returning our soldiers to safety and strength here at home, equipping them to be ready to strengthen our homeland security and protect us here, needs to be a top priority in daily action, Gordon Smith was one of 76 senators who signed a statement connecting Iran with terrorists, bringing that simple phrase under the "war against terror" of George Bush and increasing our vulnerability to attack Iran. Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden's friendship is admirable and I hope life lasting, but I call on Ron Wyden to do everything to end the war in Iraq and to do so by wholeheartedly supporting the removal of his trusted and amiable friend, Gordon Smith. I call on Ron Wyden to do everything in his polite power to put a Democrat Senator in who shares the views of his party and recognizes the needs of the people.
Dec 19, '07
and Candy Neville requests something else from Ron Wyden: 12/19/07: RON WYDEN, PLEASE MOVE GETTING OUT OF IRAQ TO FIRST POSITION: "A partnership in peril," by David Steves of the Register Guard reports about the respectful and close relationship between Democrat Senator Ron Wyden and Republican Senator Gordon Smith. They have a mutually faithful "longstanding pledge that neither of them would go negative against the other." Though I admire the fine manners of both and their willingness to work civilly together, I would ask Senator Ron Wyden to remember the best interest of his constituents and indeed the Great State of Oregon. The Iraq war wages and U.S. soldiers daily lose life and limb, The lip service Gordon Smith provides to the cause of ending the invasion in Iraq, is weak and powerless in getting us out of there. His voting record on this issue is dismal and indeed sorrowful if you are one of the soldiers or their families who are trapped in this war. Returning our soldiers to safety and strength here at home, equipping them to be ready to strengthen our homeland security and protect us here, needs to be a top priority in daily action, Gordon Smith was one of 76 senators who signed a statement connecting Iran with terrorists. Smith/Wyden's friendship is admirable but I call on Ron Wyden to do everything to end the war in Iraq by wholeheartedly supporting the removal of his amiable friend, Gordon Smith.
Dec 19, '07
and Candy Neville requests something else from Ron Wyden: "A partnership in peril," by David Steves of the Register Guard reports about the friendship between Senator Ron Wyden and Senator Gordon Smith. They have a "longstanding pledge that neither of them would go negative against the other." Though I admire the fine manners of both, I would ask Senator Ron Wyden to remember the best interest of his constituents and indeed the Great State of Oregon. The Iraq war wages and U.S. soldiers daily lose life and limb, The lip service Smith provides to the cause of ending the invasion in Iraq, is weak and powerless in getting us out of there. His voting record on this issue is dismal and indeed sorrowful if you are one of the soldiers or their families who are trapped in this war. Returning our soldiers to safety and strength here at home, equipping them to be ready to strengthen our homeland security and protect us here, needs to be a top priority in daily action, Smith was one of 76 senators who signed a statement connecting Iran with terrorists. Smith/Wyden's friendship is admirable but I call on Ron Wyden to do everything to end the war in Iraq by wholeheartedly supporting the removal of his amiable friend, Gordon Smith.
Dec 19, '07
"A partnership in peril," by David Steves of the Register Guard reports about the friendship between Senator Ron Wyden and Senator Gordon Smith. They have a "longstanding pledge that neither of them would go negative against the other." Though I admire the fine manners of both, I would ask Senator Ron Wyden to remember the best interest of his constituents and indeed the Great State of Oregon. The Iraq war wages and U.S. soldiers daily lose life and limb, The lip service Smith provides to the cause of ending the invasion in Iraq, is weak and powerless in getting us out of there. His voting record on this issue is dismal and indeed sorrowful if you are one of the soldiers or their families who are trapped in this war. Returning our soldiers to safety and strength here at home, equipping them to be ready to strengthen our homeland security and protect us here, needs to be a top priority in daily action, Smith was one of 76 senators who signed a statement connecting Iran with terrorists. Smith/Wyden's friendship is admirable but I call on Ron Wyden to do everything to end the war in Iraq by wholeheartedly supporting the removal of his amiable friend, Gordon Smith.
Dec 19, '07
"A partnership in peril," by David Steves of the Register Guard reports about the friendship between Senator Ron Wyden and Senator Gordon Smith. They have a "longstanding pledge that neither of them would go negative against the other." Though I admire the fine manners of both, I would ask Senator Ron Wyden to remember the best interest of his constituents and indeed the Great State of Oregon. The Iraq war wages and U.S. soldiers daily lose life and limb, The lip service Smith provides to the cause of ending the invasion in Iraq, is weak and powerless in getting us out of there. His voting record on this issue is dismal and indeed sorrowful if you are one of the soldiers or their families who are trapped in this war. Returning our soldiers to safety and strength here at home, equipping them to be ready to strengthen our homeland security and protect us here, needs to be a top priority in daily action, Smith was one of 76 senators who signed a statement connecting Iran with terrorists. Smith/Wyden's friendship is admirable but I call on Ron Wyden to do everything to end the war in Iraq by wholeheartedly supporting the removal of his amiable friend, Gordon Smith.
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