Senate Vote on FISA Bill May Wait Until July

[babylonsister]

Senate Vote on FISA Bill May Wait Until July


Final Senate action on an overhaul of electronic surveillance rules could slip to after the July Fourth recess as the chamber juggles other priorities and procedural snarls.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev., on Wednesday said clearing the legislation this week is less important than completing work on housing and Medicare bills.

The spying bill would rewrite the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Reid said Republicans have been holding up the housing bill, thus causing a delay of the FISA legislation, which is supported by the Bush administration.

Reid said he still planned to move the FISA bill this week — even though he opposes it — because he has an “obligation” to act on the measure. It has the support of a majority of senators, including many Democrats.

“I’m going to try to do that,” Reid said. “The only reason why I wouldn’t is . . . if we’re stuck on the housing thing and I can’t get to that.”

But he left open the possibility that the FISA vote could be delayed until July.

more...:shrug:

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=cqmidday-000002905695

[bluedeminredstate]

1. Trying to strike a deal

FISA for the bill he wants which is the housing bill.

[rpannier]

2. I disagree with his rationale

Because the majority of senators support it should not be the crtierion.
It should be whether the majority of Americans support it.

His rationale seems rather Oligarchian (IMO)