Senator Leahy: I'm not backing down on Habeas Corpus

[babylonsister]

From an e-mail:

I want to thank all 17,000 of you who signed on as citizen co-sponsors of the Habeas Corpus Restoration Act and lobbied your Senators by phone and email -- as well as the millions of other Americans who share our commitment to this critical issue. Yesterday's 56-43 vote clearly showed that a majority of the Senate -- and a majority of Americans -- favor the restoration of our basic civil liberties.

Congress made a mistake of historical proportions when it suspended habeas rights a few years ago -- and unfortunately Senate Republicans made another mistake yesterday by mounting a filibuster and failing to allow us to restore it. The good news is we've picked up 8 more votes since the Senate voted to suspend habeas corpus last fall, but we still need 4 more Senators to reach a filibuster-proof 60 vote margin.

I am disappointed that we did not succeed yesterday -- but we're not giving up, not by a long shot. Defending the Constitution is not always politically easy, especially in a time of war. But our nation is at its greatest when it stands up for the Constitution, during the best of times and the worst of times. That's why I believe in the Habeas Corpus Restoration Act, and why my colleagues and I are still working hard to pass it.

I am proud to have led the bipartisan effort to restore our fundamental rights along with my colleagues, including Senator Chris Dodd, Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senator Arlen Specter, and many others. Our bill had widespread support from conservatives, liberals, and independents alike.

With hard work and with the strength of our Constitution, I am confident that we will ultimately prevail. I thank you and my fellow Senators who stood up for an America that upholds its basic values and rights. I'm not backing down and will keep you posted on how you can help us restore habeas corpus rights in the coming weeks.

Thank you for your continued support.


Sincerely,

[mmonk]

1. And Chris Dodd

Dear xxxxxxx



Well, we came up just short yesterday.

While 56 Senators voted to restore the basic right of habeas corpus, it was four short of the 60 needed to stop yet another Republican filibuster.

Less than a year ago, we only had 48 votes total for the bill when it was an amendment to the abhorrent Military Commissions Act.

Though we didn't make it, our teamwork proved to provide quite a difference in the final tally -- just imagine what will happen once we get into the White House.

Please support the campaign by contributing $20, $50, $100 or whatever you can afford right now!

I've often said that if I am sworn in at noon on January 20, 2007, I'll restore the Constitution through executive order by 1 P.M.

But I will not rest my case until then, or with this vote alone.

Instead, this should only serve to deepen our resolve to restore the rule of law, and with it, American security.

But as we near the end of the second to last primary election fundraising deadline, I need your help to carry our message deep into Iowa and New Hampshire -- and on to the national primary after that.

Can I count on you to make a contribution right now?

My disappointment runs deep today, as I know yours does as well.

But take comfort in the fact we gained 9 votes, while only one Senator changed his mind.

That's what leadership looks like -- bringing people to your side of the argument as opposed to pre-emptive capitulation in the face of potential opposition.

It's an important lesson to take with us as we begin to debate Iraq over the next week and a half.

Can I count on you to contribute and support real leadership in the Senate, and on the Presidential campaign trail right now?

I'll be in touch soon with an update on the Iraq amendments being considered during the Defense Department Authorization debate and how you can help ensure the good bills are passed, and the bad ones stopped.

Best,