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Senate Panel to Vote on Wiretapping Bill Next Thursday
A couple of weeks ago, the Senate intelligence committee passed a bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies that collaborated with the administration's warrantless wiretapping program. And next Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee will get its chance. It'll be a busy week at the committee; the vote on Michael Mukasey is Tuesday.
Yesterday both Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and ranking member Arlen Specter (R-PA) expressed opposition to such immunity, as they have before. During the meeting next Thursday, members will have the opportunity to offer an amendment to strip it away from the bill. A spokeswoman for Leahy said that he's still reviewing the materials turned over just this week relating to the legal basis for the warrantless wiretapping program and hasn't decided yet whether to offer an amendment or what form it would take.
Comments (12)
Steambomb wrote on November 1, 2007 5:45 PM:We have heard lots of talk from these two before. This time they better put up or shut up. Where is the indictment of Gonzales for perjury? We have seen the documents that are the compelling evidence against Gonzales. The public knows that it is an open/shut case. So why has he not been indicted?
drational wrote on November 1, 2007 5:47 PM:Call it Amnesty.
As in Amnesty for past crimes.
Immunization is when you protect someone before they have the disease. In this case, malignant constitutionalopathy.
anonymouse wrote on November 1, 2007 6:15 PM:I'm curious...
Isn't the wiretapping information Leahy received old material which may have even been superceded by newer DOJ documents?
If so, how can one use documents not pertaining to the use of the wiretapping at that particular time... to make a decision on the legality of the wiretapping actually done at the time these companies were involved?
Our government is becoming more and more a hindrance to our democracy rather than a supporter... IMHO
Bob wrote on November 1, 2007 7:51 PM:The Democrats should remove John D. Rockefeller from the Senate Intelligence Committee. He's done nothing but acquiesce to the Bush Administration. How does she expect the Democrats to stay in control as the reformers if there's no reform taking place?
bamage wrote on November 1, 2007 8:22 PM:Terrific. Screwed twice next week without even being kissed.
I'll lay dollars to donuts the Judiciary Committee votes Mukasey gets confirmed and telecoms get retroactive endorsement of their law-breaking. Any takers?
gwpriester wrote on November 1, 2007 9:27 PM:I propose a trade. Lieberman for Specter. I don't always agree with Specter but he has the cajones that Lieberman lacks. The conservatives are welcome to Lieberman. He's not an Independent. He's a joke.
urbino wrote on November 1, 2007 10:55 PM:Is anybody besides me worried that the way this is going to play out is that the Dems (possible et al.) are going to remove the telecom amnesty provision, and then say they've done their part and the bill is fine, regardless of what else is in it?
Anonymous wrote on November 2, 2007 12:16 AM:ROFLMAO drational!
Al Fisher wrote on November 2, 2007 7:32 AM:I swear Leahy is just delaying announcing he supports "amnesty" (the right word drational) in order to avoid a barrage of letters from constituents assailing him for it. You watch, he and Specter will announce that after much consideration of the evidence the telecoms were acting in the best interest of the US and shouldn't be prosecuted. And the Dems will also come to the conclusion that the decision on Mukasey should be left to the entire Senate, not blocked in committee. I am so tired of our spineless congress.
Michael wrote on November 2, 2007 8:43 AM:One word sums it up - depressing.
Xopl wrote on November 2, 2007 9:58 AM:The Constitution is clear on this. Electronic dragnets do not conform to a reasonableness requirement, and without full access to documents no Senator can be sure that isn't happening. Any Senator who votes yes to immunitty should have to defend their decision and their public office. They have a sworn oath to defend the Constitution. If they haven't done so, they should be asked to resign.
Bill wrote on November 2, 2007 11:45 AM:Congress wastes more tax payer money on circle jerks and usually ends up screwing the public over. I certainly hope they start doing the job they were elected to do and put the most corrupt presidential administration in the history of this country behind bars...and don't indict Gonzales or any other big names until Bush is out of office, otherwise he'll just pardon them, defeating the purpose.