Dodd to Filibuster if Reid Ignores Hold on FISA

[rolleitreks]

Source: Dodd campaign office

"Just last night, we heard there are plans to disregard Senator Dodd's intention to place a hold on a FISA bill that includes amnesty for telecommunications companies.

That would be a pretty extraordinary move, but Chris Dodd has pledged to stop this horrible bill any way he can.

So if the hold is not honored, he is prepared to go to the Senate floor and filibuster.

Rolling back the Bush Administration assault on the rule of law has been a major focus of Chris Dodd's work in the Senate -- and it's also a centerpiece in his campaign for President."

No link yet.

---

Just got this e-mail. So for the first time in my life, I donated money to a politician.

Although I'm still hoping Gore will run, if he does not, I'm supporting Dodd.

[grasswire]

1. crosspost--- if you support Dodd's defense ...

...of the Constitution, send him a campaign donation of $17.76 right now. He needs to know that people are responding to his courage.

[jgraz]

8. I already sent him $50...I guess for how many Senators should be supporting him.

[station agent]

19. yeah I sent him $20, I'm broke. I got the video of Dodd

right here:
http://icestationtango.blogspot.com/2007/10/dodd-threatens-filibuster-on-telecom.html

[Blaze Diem]

2. Why on earth would Reid ignore Dodd's hold?

Doesn't Reid have ears to hear what Dodd is telling the public about this bill?

Beyond me as to why there is any question that this bill undermines everything the nation stands for. (or used to).

I just don't get it with Reid & Pelosi. Whose got them so by-the-balls that they subvert the US Constitution. They justify this move how?

[robinlynne]

4. call his office and ask him, and tell him what you think?

[goclark]

5. The BCF (Bush Crime Family) has them under lock and key

They can't even get to "the table."


That crys out for a photoshop.

[rateyes]

6. Could it be because the AT&T switching room designed to

spy on American Citizens was constructed in San Francisco...Pelosi's district? :shrug:

[Blaze Diem]

15. Could be. I wasn't aware of the correlation..Geez, are they ALL

freakin related or what.

Hope Dodd holds firm as does Pete Stark.
Please restore 'we the people..'

[Bitwit1234]

3. I don't understand

they can put a hold on a bill a republican wanted but they can't put a hold on a bill a democrat requests. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON. I thought it was a rule in the senate that if someone lodges a hold it stands.

[Igel]

12. Because holds are nothing more but notification that if

a measure is going to be voted on (pretty much always with the stipulation 'by unanimous consent') there will be one person likely to vote 'nay'.

If a motion is to be passed by unanimous consent, one nay vote kills it. So it's a gentlemanly thing to do--a hold = "don't hold a vote by unanimous consent" warning or a request, "I have these problems, make me happy."

There are various reasons for each kind of threat to be implicit. What's considered bad manners--at least when repubs do it--is to place a hold, submit your objections, get a response, and never remove the hold.

If no unanimous-consent vote is scheduled, a hold is fairly meaningless and constitutes nothing more than a request for information.

[Zhade]

25. That, and they keep bringing these bills to the floor when they could BLOCK THEM.

Like, say, the war funding bills.

Says a LOT.

[karynnj]

7. I don't get how he can "go to the floor and filibuster"

He can demand a cloture vote - which will mean they need 60 votes - the question is whether Dodd has 40 fellow Senators to join him. (He clearly doesn't have Reed.)

[John Q. Citizen]

9. What he's saying is he's going to the mat on this. Which is very good. I guess

we will see if he can stop amnesty for those who would spy on Americans.

This will require all other Senators (including Obama, Hill, and Biden) to either stand up for the rule of law or to vote with the Repos for cloture.

Way to go Dodd. You aren't my first choice for a candidate but you are quickly moving up my list!

[karynnj]

13. I agree that it is good that he is leading the fight on this

But having tried for 2 years to explain that the filibuster process is no longer than used so memorably by Mr Smith (goes to Washington), saying that distorts the process - and I fear, sets expectations too high. The concern is also that it might discourage rather than encourage people from demanding that others at minimum demand that more light is shed on this before any amnesty to anyone is granted.

Dodd actually has been 1 or 2 on my list since Kerry opted not to run :cry:

[Supersedeas]

20. how they vote matters very much -- i will be keeping track -- supporters lose my vote, period.

[C_U_L8R]

10. Woot Woot!

Hurray for Dodd standing up and doing the RIGHT THING !

[pennylane100]

11. I just sent $25

but I am still supporting Edwards (maybe).

[mvd]

14. Go Dodd!

This is the hype of spine that we need! :bounce: :thumbsup:

[4dsc]

16. A democrat with some balls??

What's up with this?? I'll be glad to send him 17.76 to help his campaign..

[Zorra]

17. Ya know...I'm thinking Senator Dodd as Senate Majority Leader

would be much more effective for Democrats than Reid as SML.

[Frances]

21. Good idea

I am taking another look at Dodd just because of his stand.

[depakid]

18. At the very least- it would put all the turncoats on record

Anyone who supports this travesty needs to be targeted- if not by a Dem, then by and Independent or Green.

[AX10]

22. Chris Dodd would be the best leader for us in the Senate.

[IndianaGreen]

23. What?!?!?! A Democrat with balls?

Thank you Senator Dodd for defending the Constitution and standing up for our freedoms.

[NBachers]

24. Judiciary Committee Contact Info

I'm supporting Chris Dodd in his intention to filibuster telecom immunity: http://chrisdodd.com/immunity

Dianne Feinstein is my Senator. I've sent emails to her demanding that she oppose telecom immunity.

In addition, I've sent the following fax to each Judiciary Committee member. This is the version I sent to the Democrats on the committee. For the Republicans, I eliminated a few phrases:

Dear Senator XXX:
I am a Democrat and a voter. I was born in 1949, and have voted Democrat in every election since I became eligible to vote.

It is imperative that you oppose any legislation that includes retroactive immunity, or immunity of any kind, for telecoms.

There is no wiggle room here. We must have a strong FISA law, and absolutely no amnesty for telecoms.

This is very important. Let me repeat this:

No amnesty for telecoms!

Many people are watching you on this. Don’t cave in to George Bush.

Emphatically Yours,

NBachers

Here's phone & fax info for each member of the Judiciary Committee:

Senator Dianne Feinstein D-CA phone: [phone]; fax: [phone];
San Francisco fax: [phone]
Senator Jeff Sessions R- AL phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]
Senator Jon Kyl R-AZ phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]
Senator Joe Biden D-DE phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]
Senator Charles Grassley R-IA phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]
Senator Richard Durbin D-IL phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]
Senator Sam Brownback R-KS phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]
Senator Edward Kennedy D MA phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]
Senator Benjamin Cardin D-MD phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]
Senator Charles Schumer D-NY phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]
Senator Tom Coburn R-OK phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]
Senator Arlen Specter R-PA phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse D-RI phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]
Senator Lindsey Graham R-SC phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]
Senator John Cronyn R-TX phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]
Senator Orrin Hatch R-UT phone: [phone] fax: [phone]
Senator Patrick Leahy D-VT phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]
Senator Russ Feingold D-WI phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]
Senator Herb Kohl D-WI phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]

No bitching against the Democrats if we're not willing to do our own participation in Democracy.