The U.S. House has been debating the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The invaluable Kagro X, one of the very best analysts ever to post at Daily Kos, explained some of the complicated legislative maneuvers in this post yesterday. Kagro X gave the short version of what’s going on in this post earlier today.
Click that first link if you’ve been disappointed in Senate Majority leader Harry Reid, because he did a very clever thing on this bill.
You will recall that Leonard Boswell was one of 21 House Democrats to work with Republicans to try to secure retroactive immunity for telecom companies in this bill. Some background information is here.
Well, today Boswell has joined with the majority of House Democrats. mcjoan has more at Daily Kos, including a statement from Boswell.
Raise your hand if you think Boswell would have changed his position on this issue if he were not facing a primary challenge from Ed Fallon.
UPDATE: mcjoan explains what happened here:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyo…
Boswell and 12 other blue dogs stuck with the Democrats today. Good for them.
SECOND UPDATE: Call Boswell’s office and thank him for this vote:
Rep. Leonard L. Boswell, D-Iowa — Phone: (202) 225-3806, Fax: (202) 225-5608
According to Daily Kos user Los Diablo,
#
* [new] I just got off the phone with his D.C. office (9+ / 0-)Recommended by:
Rolfyboy6, Miss Blue, oldjohnbrown, 3goldens, Ma Joad, mffarrow, robroser, eco d, llamaRCAand they thanked me for thanking him because they are getting a hammered with negative calls because he supported this.
Senator Tom Harkin: Bush has vetoed him more than any senator.
by Los Diablo on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 12:18:30 PM PDT
By the way, I love Los Diablo’s signature line about Harkin!
2 Comments
Kudos to Boswell
I have been emailing him every other day on this, and I was careful to remain courteous and respectful.
I also emailed a thank you for this vote.
corncam Fri 14 Mar 7:07 PM
Boswell's Statement
(Source: http://boswell.house.gov/artic… )
Below are Boswell’s remarks:
“In the process of this FISA debate, we have strived to make America safe and protect the civil liberties of Americans. As I have heard Congressman Tierney say at different times, if we had followed FISA, we wouldn’t be here today, and I appreciate his remark. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, this President has repeatedly used executive orders to end-run the provisions and protections of FISA.”
“Several weeks ago, I became concerned that our private telecom companies might be falsely accused, thus having the effect of putting a chill on their future responses. I felt a gut confidence that pressure was put on them-pressure from the government–we have an emergency, and we, the government, must have your assistance or a terrible event would happen. I think back on my own training in my life, and I know something about those terrible events that could happen, because I put together weapons of mass destruction in my own training.”
“So, I like others, signed a letter of concern. By the way, it was not a Blue Dog letter or a Blue Dog Position. It was individuals, some of whom were Blue Dogs.”
“Now, over the course of these past weeks, a credit to Chairman Reyes and Chairman Conyers and our super staff, an acceptable solution has been found that updates FISA, supports our intelligence community and gives protection to those who assist within the provisions of the law.”
“Those who feel their civil rights have been violated can seek justice, and the telecoms who feel they have complied with the law can be defended. A judge will review the classified evidence and decide. This means to me that the Constitution and civil rights are protected, and the telecoms who are asked or pressured to assist in an emergency can know that classified evidence will be seen by the judge and the provider’s defense would be taken into account. I believe this to be a solution.”
“In closing, I would say this legislation will protect the Constitution and the American people’s civil rights. The bill also gives the intelligence community the tools it needs and gives the telecom companies the means to defend themselves from unfair lawsuits. The bill provides telecom companies a way to present their defense in district court without the Administration using State secrets to block the defense. If a company is simply doing its patriotic duty and following the law, this bill ensures the company will not be punished.”
corncam Fri 14 Mar 7:13 PM