House Passes FISA Bill With NO Telecom Immunity

[Hissyspit]

Finely some spine from the Dems.

Here's to those who stood their ground on this. :toast: :patriot:

Pretty much down party lines: 213 Yea - 197 Nay; 1 Present.

HR 3773 amends the Senate version of FISA provisions on electronic surveillance of foreign suspects.

Senate version contained lawsuit protection for telecoms that turned over information without warrants. House version contains no legal immunity, but makes it easier for telecoms to defend themselves in court.

Now goes back to Senate.

TPM Muckraker Weighs In:

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/03/house_passes_surveillance_bill.php

House Passes Surveillance Bill without Retroactive Immunity
By Paul Kiel - March 14, 2008, 2:07PM
The House Dem leadership's surveillance bill just cleared the House by a vote of 213-197 with 1 vote of present. 11 Dems crossed the aisle to vote against it.

The bill has stricter privacy safeguards than the Senate's version -- and of course does not contain a provision granting retroactive immunity for the telecoms' participation in the administration's warrantless wiretapping program.

As for what's next, it's over to the Senate where it's sure to undergo some modifications. In a statement earlier this week, Senate intelligence committee Chair Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) said that "considerable work remains" on reconciling the House's latest version and the Senate version. Rockefeller said he's willing to adopt a number of the House's provisions, including a much shorter sunset (2 years) on the law, but notably omitted the topic of immunity. Rockefeller supports blanket immunity for the telecoms.

The Senate is certainly a different place. Today, 11 House Dems voted against a bill that does not contain retroactive immunity. Last month in the Senate, 18 Dems voted against an attempt to strip retroactive immunity from the Senate bill.

[hobbit709]

1. Chimpy's gonna have a cow.

[niyad]

3. too bad for the spoiled little jerk--someone told him no

[Jeffersons Ghost]

9. sadly, it's not a "no" yet... veto, remember?

[Hissyspit]

17. .

[C_U_L8R]

5. I hope he has twins

cows that is

[HCE SuiGeneris]

7. I hope he chokes on it.

[bdamomma]

8. no let him have a meltdown.

[The Backlash Cometh]

12. His worst day, is my best day.

[BadgerKid]

2. Vote was 213 yea, 197 nay, 1 present. n/t

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. Kudos to the House

now Senators, let's see if you can stand up to the Chimp or not.

[ThomWV]

6. Only 3 of the 21 or so Blue Dog Democrats voted against the people of the United States on this one.

[tsuki]

13. Who were they? I get roll call not available yet. Thanks.

[ThomWV]

15. Here is the roll call vote (link)

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll144.xml

[tsuki]

20. Thanks. Great news. Allen Boyd voted with the Dems! Thanks.

[VP505]

22. Roll call vote is up now

12 Dem's voted NO, time to crank up the FAX Machine. http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll145.xml

[Hissyspit]

26. Kucinich Voted Nay?

I assume he knew it would pass and was making a point that it should be more forceful?

[Hissyspit]

10. .

[Coexist]

11. knr!!!

[Hissyspit]

14. Kick with TPM Muckraker Update. n/t

[AtomicKitten]

16. Wonderful news.

[babylonsister]

18. Whoo Hoooo! Great news! nt

[Ichingcarpenter]

19. Great News

I'm shocked at the Blue Dogs Demos falling in line, but pleasantly relieved.

[Oilwellian]

21. This is FABULOUS news!

Thanks so much for posting. :D

K&R

[margotb822]

23. A step in the LEFT direction

:D

[Hissyspit]

24. LOL

:thumbsup:

[mac2]

25. Did the vote for no immunity for tele companies stop a Bush veto?

[Hissyspit]

27. .