Is A Rockefeller/Hoyer FISA Immunity Deal Imminent?

[babylonsister]

http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/30/is-a-rockefellerhoyer-fisa-immunity-deal-imminent/

Is A Rockefeller/Hoyer FISA Immunity Deal Imminent?
By: Jane Hamsher Wednesday April 30, 2008 3:00 pm



According to the ACLU, there is rumor of a backroom deal being brokered by Jay Rockefeller on FISA that will include retroactive immunity. I've heard from several sources that Steny Hoyer is doing the dirty work on the House side, and some say it will be attached to the new supplemental.

There doesn't seem to be any greater priority for this administration than to get Dick Cheney and the other criminals in the Bush administration retroactive immunity for themselves and their teleco cohorts on their way out the door. Much fear mongering, ads and robocalls in the districts of freshmen House Democrats, and lookie here -- Trent Lott crawls out from under his slimy rock:

AT&T is among charter clients of Breaux Lott Leadership Group, a firm established by former Senate heavyweights John Breaux (D-La.) and Trent Lott (R-Miss.). Their sons are also involved in the family business.

The telecom giant has given BLLG the mission to back the controversial Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

And how much is that worth? So glad you asked:

Breaux-Lott's top-paying clients during the first three months of the year include AT&T ($150,000 for help on FISA legislation); the Association of American Railroads ($150,000 for a tax cut on infrastructure investments); and the Plains Exploration and Production Company ($150,000 for work on offshore oil and gas issues).

Predictably, the Blue Dogs are top targets to flip on the Hoyer/Rockefeller deal.

In case anyone is wondering why this might be a really bad idea, Babak Pasdar's column in the Seattle PI provides a nice refresher here:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/360945_telecom29.html

[Junkdrawer]

1. Betcha it won't require a 2/3 House or 61% Senate vote...

like any legislation WE want.

[papau]

2. Sometimes one feels like giving up - Rockefeller/Hoyer are traitors if they give immunity

[JDPriestly]

3. I wrote my congressman for the umpteenth time on this.

Thanks for the heads up. This is shameful. Surveillance is the tool of oppressors.

[ColbertWatcher]

4. Any lawyers out there know if this type of retro-active immunity is illegal? n/t