Dodd puts hold on FISA bill

[MBS]

Couldn't find mention of this in recent threads, but I think this act of gutsiness deserves to be more widely known. IMHO, Dodd also deserves thanks and props for having the spine to take this action.

See http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/101907A.shtml

From USA TODAY

Dodd to Block Vote on Eavesdropping Bill
By Richard Willing
USA Today

Thursday 18 October 2007

Washington - Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., said Thursday that he will block a Senate vote on a White House-backed surveillance bill because it would include legal immunity for telecommunications companies that helped intelligence agencies carry out warrantless surveillance of Americans.

Dodd, a presidential candidate, said he will use his senatorial "hold" power to prevent the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act legislation from being considered by the full Senate. The move would effectively stall a measure that President Bush and Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell have said is essential to protect national security. . . . .

from THE HILL

Dems Cool to Senate FISA Deal
By Manu Raju
The Hill

Friday 19 October 2007

House and Senate Democrats on Thursday assailed a bipartisan Senate effort to provide retroactive immunity for telephone companies that cooperated in the Bush administration's warrantless wiretapping program, signaling a looming battle over domestic spying that could split the Democratic Caucus.

. . . .
When reports of the deal broke Thursday, liberal Democrats in both chambers promptly excoriated the plan.

Sen. Chris Dodd, the Democrat from Connecticut who is running for president, placed a hold on the bill over his objections to the immunity provision. He said he would prevent the measure from coming to the floor because of what he said was "amnesty" for telecommunications firms.

"I said that I would do everything I could to stop this bill from passing, and I have," Dodd said in a statement to supporters of his candidacy.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) also condemned the deal, warning that the Intelligence Committee was "about to cave on this."

His panel will take up the bill next week. The Intelligence Committee was expected to finish its closed-door markup of the bill after press time Thursday.

[aquart]

1. Didn't someone post that Reid was doing an end run around it?

[Blue_In_AK]

2. Yes, that was posted

and it was also posted that in that event, Dodd was going to filibuster.

[MBS]

3. thanks

Yeah, Jane Hamsher confirms this in Firedog Lake:
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/dodd-goes-to-the-mat-says-he-will-filibuster-fisa/

and it also looks like Feingold will back Dodd up if the bill gets to the Senate floor

http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/feingold-to-back-dodd-up/

[Blue_In_AK]

4. I've been undecided on the presidential race.

Dodd has just risen several points in my estimation with these actions ... and he was pretty far up there to begin with. I think he's become my new favorite candidate. :patriot:

[station agent]

5. Watch Dodd's video here

http://icestationtango.blogspot.com/2007/10/dodd-threatens-filibuster-on-telecom.html

[Blue_In_AK]

6. Thank you. That was excellent.

What I want to know is why aren't the other Democrats talking like this? Surely they know what peril our Constitution is in.

[sampsonblk]

7. Great work by Dodd, but where's the help???

This shouldn't all be on one guy's shoulders. Where is everyone else?