Reid Challenges GOP to Filibuster Anti-Immunity Provision

[babylonsister]

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/005130.php

Reid Challenges GOP to Filibuster Anti-Immunity Provision
By Paul Kiel - January 24, 2008, 11:50AM


So here is where the FISA debate, which kicked off in earnest this morning, stands.

The first vote today will be on the Senate Judiciary Committee's version of the surveillance legislation, which contains no retroactive immunity for the telecoms who collaborated with the administration's warrantless wiretapping program. That will be at two o'clock this afternoon. There is no agreement that such a vote meet a 60-vote threshold, so when the Republicans move to block that bill, the vote will be held on a 50-vote threshold. If they win that vote, then the bill will revert back to the Senate intelligence committee's bill, which has a retroactive immunity provision.

After that will come a number of amendments, among them Sens. Chris Dodd's (D-CT) and Russ Feingold's (D-WI), which contains a provision to strip the immunity from the bill. Reid says that he supports such a bill. And he said today that Republicans will have to actually filibuster if they want to stop any of the amendments from getting a simple majority vote:

"As I have said before, if there are Senators who don't like these amendments and think they should be subjected to 60-vote thresholds, these Senators are going to have to engage in an old-fashioned filibuster. These amendments are by and large germane, and I believe they should be adopted if a majority of the Senate supports them."

You can Reid's entire statement here:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/01/reid_statement_on_fisa_legisla.php

When Reid said something similar yesterday, a number of people interpreted it as in reference to Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) who has said that he would filibuster any bill that contained retroactive immunity. Now it seems as if that remark was meant for everyone.

As for what happens next, I think we'll just have to wait and see. We'll keep you updated.

[truebrit71]

I'll believe it when I see it...up to this point he has been nothing but hot air...

..but I must admit it sounds encouraging..especially getting round the 60-vote horseshit put up by the 'thugs...

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

7. He's setting them up, but good! eom

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. thanks for this clarification n/t

[Bonobo]

2. About fucking time. Let's see if he actually has the will.

I've heard this song and dance before.

[TwilightGardener]

3. It's almost impossible to tell where Reid stands--

if the Judiciary No-Immunity version gets more than 50 no votes, then it magically transforms into the non-immunity Intel version that they will vote on. It WILL get more than 50 no votes, because some Dems and all Repubs want to offer immunity, so that's a done deal. But the anti-immunity amendments--what's the good of making the Repubs filibuster the old-fashioned way? I'm confused.

[gateley]

4. Wow -- Thanks!

I think I am STARTING to get this. Here's my take on it and I enthusiastically welcome enlightenment.

1. There will be a vote to replace the current (Intelligence Committee) bill with a replacement bill (Judiciary Committee).

2. We WANT the Judiciary Committee bill to pass.

3. IF the JC committee bill doesn't pass, THEN Dodd's amendment will come into play; if THAT doesn't pass, then Lehey's amendment will be voted on.

How am I doing?

I really want to understand this! It's SO important!!

Thanks anyone and everyone! :yourock:

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

5. So, I wonder,...why so many contraditory assertions about Reid on this board?

:shrug: Misunderstanding? I HAVE to wonder.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

6. Oh,...and RECOMMENDED! nt

[Oilwellian]

8. Because...

it was Reid who allowed the Senate Intel version of the bill onto the floor in the first place. Perhaps he's had a change of mind....I'll believe it when I see it.

[VP505]

9. I can't speak for anyone but myself

there was NO misunderstanding about what Reid said, its possible that he has gotten enough pressure that he backed off his capitulation to Bu$h on immunity, but, he made his position very clear to me prior to his statement today that was posted by babylonsister.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

10. Would you kindly,...

,...post the source which provoked your interpretation? Thanks!! :hi:

[KoKo]

12. If you want to know the background and updates go here:

Scroll down for Reid's original comments that has had the blogs and ACLU, TRUE MAJORITY and other sites e-mailing, phoning and faxing to let Reid know we won't stand for any more of his spineless caving to Bush just so some Senators can make it to Davos this weekend.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/

[VP505]

13. My source was Harry Reid's mouth,

I heard his statements on the Senate floor before the holiday break and in the last few days, especially yesterday.

[Atman]

11. "revert back"

ARGH! Sorry. Pet peeve. "Revert back" as opposed to what, reverting forward?

.