TPM: "scene is set for an ol' fashioned cloture vote rumble this afternoon at 4:30" = FISA

[L. Coyote]

Today's Must Read by Paul Kiel - Jan 28, 2008 - http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/005149.php


The White House surveillance bill squeeze stepped up to another level over the weekend. So the scene is set for an ol' fashioned cloture vote rumble this afternoon at 4:30.

To refresh your memory: the administration's far-reaching surveillance bill, which was passed last August in a similar White House squeeze play, expires February 1st.

To take the time pressure off and ensure that surveillance would be unaffected by the lapse, Senate Majority Leader has repeatedly proposed a 30-day extension to the Protect America Act. Republicans in the Senate have repeatedly blocked any effort to have a vote on it. They've also blocked attempts to hold votes on almost all of the offered amendments, leading to the situation today.

On Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) filed for cloture, forcing a vote which would end debate, preclude any votes on the amendments, and lead immediately to a vote on the underlying Senate bill -- the administration-supported Senate intelligence committee bill, which contains a provision granting retroactive immunity to the telecoms. The Republicans need 60 votes to make that happen.

Now things are at the point where even if the Senate did manage to pass some sort of bill before Thursday, the process of hashing out the differences with the House version (which doesn't contain retroactive immunity) would drag on past the deadline. .....

..........

[Bicoastal]

1. A rumble? EEK!

I hope our candidates stay safe!

[corkhead]

6. here's the picture of what I want to see outside the Whitehouse

[Le Taz Hot]

2. Note: 4:30 Eastern

n/t

[L. Coyote]

3. To be followed by the Impeachment of one President. That's a New State of the Union! LOL

[G_Leo_Criley]

4. Vote NO to Cloture, NO to retroactive immunity for telecomms and

NO to basket warrants to spy on American citizens! Get on the fax or on the horn and call your people and the ones on Christy's list below. (They are the 14 dems who voted against our interests last week plus some on the fence repubs, as I understand it.)

Support Senator Chris Dodd if it comes to a filibuster! Tell anyone who you call that you will support him. Tell them you're an American and that you vote.

I'm also going to call Hillary and Obama's offices to let them know that I appreciate that they each will vote no on cloture.

This is all happening today, soon, so it is time to pile on!

glc

Here are details with phone numbers from Christy at firedoglake.com: http://firedoglake.com/2008/01/28/fisa-so-whats-next/

Toll-free numbers for Congress from Katymine:

1 (800) 828 - 0498
1 (800) 459 - 1887
1 (800) 614 - 2803
1 (866) 340 - 9281
1 (866) 338 - 1015
1 (877) 851 - 6437

Every Senator needs a call, so please take the time to call or FAX yours today. Several Senators could use extra contact on this -- uncommitted Democrats, members of the Gang of 14, and a number of wavering Republicans. Tell them to vote "no" on cloture. It is well past time that respect for the rule of law and the role of Congress in the balance of powers was restored:


Name

Phone # followed by FAX #

Bayh [phone] [phone]
Carper [phone] [phone]
Obama [phone] [phone]
Inouye [phone] [phone]
Johnson [phone] [phone]
Landrieu [phone] [phone]
McCaskill [phone] [phone]
Mikulski [phone] [phone]
Nelson (FL) [phone] [phone]
Clinton [phone] [phone]
Nelson (NE) [phone] [phone]
Pryor [phone] [phone]
Salazar [phone] [phone]
Specter [phone] [phone]
McCain [phone] [phone]
Graham [phone] [phone]
Warner [phone] [phone]
Snowe [phone] [phone]
Collins [phone] [phone]
Sununu [phone] [phone]
Lieberman [phone] [phone]
Byrd [phone] [phone]
Lincoln [phone] [phone]
Chambliss [phone] [phone]
Coleman [phone] [phone]
Dole [phone] [phone]
Smith [phone] [phone]
Stabenow [phone] [phone]
Kohl [phone] [phone]

UPDATE: California readers will no doubt be unsurprised by this -- but Sen. Feinstein continues to dither about her vote. Please give her a call/FAX and tell her to vote "NO" on cloture. She's a Democrat, and it sure would be nice if she acted like it.

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
TTY/TDD: [phone]

[G_Leo_Criley]

5. record numbers of calls coming in...

In the 10 or so Senate offices I've called, I'm hearing that they are absolutely inundated with calls.
Mikulski's phone was busy. McCaskill has an answering machine set up.

Ok... Back to the Front...


glc