Reid to co-sponsor effort to strip retroactive immunity from FISA bill. (Updated)

News Type: Event — Seeded on Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:20 AM EDT

Article Source: Think Progress

politics, fisa, reid, dodd, telecom-immunity

Earlier today, Sens. Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) promised to do everything they can to strip retroactive immunity from "compromise" wiretapping legislation, including a filibuster. In a statement, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-NV) office says he will co-sponsor and support their efforts:

Unfortunately, the FISA compromise bill establishes a process where the likely outcome is immunity to the telecommunications carriers who participated in the President's warrantless wiretapping program. Sen. Reid remains opposed to retroactive immunity, which undermines efforts to hold the Bush Administration accountable for violating the law. Thus, he will cosponsor the amendment offered by Senators Dodd and Feingold to strip out the immunity provision, and support their efforts to strip immunity on the floor.

At a breakfast with reporters this morning, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said it would be "healthy and wholesome" if the Senate filibustered the House-passed bill.

UPDATE: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced moments ago on the Senate floor that he would vote against FISA, but that he has an obligation to move legislation that the majority wants:

I don't particularly like FISA, and I'm going to vote against FISA. But, I have an obligation here as the Majority Leader to move legislation that the majority of the body wants to go forward.

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4.9

{"commentId":2044306,"authorDomain":"nearing"}

nearing

Good man.

{"commentId":2044306,"threadId":"298420","contentId":"1608410","authorDomain":"nearing"}

4 votes

#1 - Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:32 AM EDT

{"commentId":2044384,"authorDomain":"jumpstone"}

Allan Neal

We'll see. I'm more worried about what's not in the news. ; )

{"commentId":2044384,"threadId":"298420","contentId":"1608410","authorDomain":"jumpstone"}

3 votes

#1.1 - Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:45 AM EDT

{"commentId":2046114,"authorDomain":"WheresReagan2008"}

WheresReagan2008

If not monitored, then if we're attacked again it probably won't affect them in their gated-communities. But the rest
of the country likes America to use whatever tools they need to protect us. What if our Police dept's were not allowed to use firearms? Like the "bobbies" in the UK? Civil unrest? Yes! What an moron!

{"commentId":2046114,"threadId":"298420","contentId":"1608410","authorDomain":"WheresReagan2008"}

2 votes

#2 - Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:33 PM EDT

{"commentId":2049325,"authorDomain":"Orwell"}

GeorgeOrwell

Yes! We should monitor everyone. Everyone is a possible terrorist. We should make certain that no one can have a private conversation or a private thought because the only thing that can come of having a right to privacy is terrorism!

We are at war with Eurasia: We have always been at war with Eurasia.

{"commentId":2049325,"threadId":"298420","contentId":"1608410","authorDomain":"Orwell"}

2 votes

#2.1 - Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:44 PM EDT

{"commentId":2050543,"authorDomain":"nearing"}

nearing

We are at war with Eurasia: We have always been at war with Eurasia.

We will always be at war with Eurasia.

{"commentId":2050543,"threadId":"298420","contentId":"1608410","authorDomain":"nearing"}

1 vote

#2.2 - Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:51 PM EDT

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NEARING

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Reid to co-sponsor effort to strip retroactive immunity from FISA bill. (Updated)

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