Senate Votes For Retroactive Immunity: Updated with Petition
By Nicole Belle Monday Feb 11, 2008 2:48pmCan't say I'm surprised, though it is a sad statement in and of itself that anticipating that our Congress will not do the morally right thing for the citizens is unsurprising, but hey, welcome to BushWorld.
TPM:
Let there be no doubt: a majority of senators, and a large number of Democrats, think the telecoms should not suffer the hazard of accountability for cooperating with the administration's warrantless wiretapping program. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) took to the floor last night to give a speech asking, "This is our defining question, the question that confronts every generation: The rule of law, or the rule of men?" The resounding answer: the rule of men.
The Senate voted on the Dodd/Feingold amendment, which would have stripped retroactive immunity from the surveillance bill just now. The final tally was 31-67; crossing over to vote nay were Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Evan Bayh (D-IA), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Herb Kohl (D-WI), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ken Salazar (D-CO), Tom Carper (D-DE), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Jim Webb (D-VA), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Kent Conrad (D-ND), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). Update: Here's the official tally.
Of the three presidential candidates in the Senate, Obama voted against immunity; McCain voted for it and Clinton was not present to vote. Jason Rosenbaum at The Seminal:
I just got off a conference call with Chris Dodd. Not surprisingly, he said he was "disappointed" by the outcome of the votes today. He said, "We’ve just sanctioned the single largest invasion of privacy in American history."
***We're not done yet. FireDogLake has a petition to pressure the House to stand firm behind the RESTORE act. (link fixed)
Glenn Greenwald has a good wrap up of the day's events.
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This would be fine if we were going after the ones who ordered them to break the law; namely booshco.
Next time I re-up my cell phone, I go with a company that told georgieboy to fuck himself....
What do you expect from a corporate controlled oligarchy. You are foolish if you believe you REALLY live in a democracy. Machiavelli outlined the method - pay attention to the old forms and traditions of the past, glorify them, and make your changes and the people will not notice.
The people will either capitulate, or they will resort to Kirkwood, MO type reactions. You cannot negotiate with the elites who have transformed this nation to a soft-styled authoritarian state.
Every senator that voted against Chris Dodd's amendment to strip telcom immunity is a traitor!
Call your senator and tell let them have it! Bloody big business traitors!
Yep, our only hope is that the U.S. House(opposed to granting immunity to the telecom
industry) will stick by it's guns and NOT bend over like the Senate did. I see little
likelihood that a "compromise" can or will be worked out between the two Houses, so
unfortunately, looks as if "our" elected officials are going to once again disappoint
us.
This makes me feel kind of ill.
Why oh why am i not suprised.
Should anyone be suprised
Treasonous. And Clinton couldn't even be bothered to vote. Dereliction of duty.
There is something inherently wrong with a supposed democracy that has to publicly say they need to spy on their own electorate. I mean, most people assume they do anyway, but to publicly bring this to a frontburner, one has to wonder why they did it.
Hillary was too busy deciding which journalists should lose their jobs for insulting her family. She does have her priorities.
MargeAggedon @ 6:
I know what you mean. I sure do.
this is the last straw.
clinton is a fucking bitch
i have lost all my faith in the democratic party and will now
either not vote in the 2008 election or will vote repug since there
seems to be only one party.
fuck congress and this whole bunch of entrenched assholes
You have to expect the Rs to go along with BushCO on this but the number of Ds that voted Nay is astounding. If you live in a state with a Senator who voted Nay, pick up your phone and let them have it. They believe that their jobs are safe because of the Rs falling apart. We can and should replace the whole lot of em.
I am a 82 year old Democratic but I think they have lost my vote. I will be looking for a third party and give my money only to people that think the way I due.
Mark @ 4:
Fuckin A right!!!
These turncoats have totally sold out to big business...it's time we remind them who they work for.
NO VOTES FOR TURNCOATS!!
"The final tally was 31-67; crossing over to vote nay were Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Evan Bayh (D-IA), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Herb Kohl (D-WI), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ken Salazar (D-CO), Tom Carper (D-DE), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Jim Webb (D-VA), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Kent Conrad (D-ND), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)."
So we picked up about six votes, beyond the 25 that are fully-loyal.
That list of betraying Dem Senators? That's your failure to convict during impeachment, right there. They have the 67 votes -- we have the 31.
Maybe with this YET AGAIN confirmation of the Senate sistuation people can back off their hatred of Speaker Pelosi a bit, understanding her decision a bit better than perhaps they did yesterday.
JasonS @ 8:
Which position do you dislike the most? The 18 Dems who crossed over the aisle and
voted "Nay" with the Repugs or the 2 Dems(Clinton & Graham) who did not even vote?
Passing laws that retro-actively exonerate corporations from criminal activity?
What. The. Fudge.
Since when is it possible to make past crimes legal? This is such utter rubbish, yet a crime bosses dream...
Who says crime doesn't pay?
This action glaringly illustrates that America is run by criminals and that the biggest crooks are the (s)elected politicians, judges and associated captains of business.
How can we blame Bush when the Dems roll over every time. All of the constitutional rights we lost was with the consent of the Dems.
Please note that Hillary, in her effort to never offend anyone, simply didn't vote.
Cocksuckers!!!! I tried to get my reps attention on this shit... Total fucking waste of time and energy... Cocksuckers!!! Every damned one of them to voted for this bullshit! That's it, that's all I got to say on it at this point.... Delete or not.. Don't give a shit about that either!!!!! JD
FTW!
dadams @ 12 "this is the last straw. clinton is a fucking bitch"
Her vote wouldn't have saved this, and calling her a 'bitch' is a sexist and bigoted behavior.
"i have lost all my faith in the democratic party"
Well whoopty goddamned do.
"and will now either not vote in the 2008 election or will vote repug"
Say no more, you have just canceled out your entire attitude.
Go on, go vote for the Republicans. Your kind of help we don't need.
Paul in LA @ 16:
I'm too busy hating Harry to worry about Nancy. Get back to me on this later.
dadams @ 12:
jack damage @ 20:
Your "reps"? You don't have but two SENATORS to inspect for this shit. Your 'rep' had nothing to do with it.
And calling them 'cocksuckers' is sexist and homophobic bigotry.
Any Senator or Representative that supports retroactive legal immunity for the criminal telecom corporations is a traitor to our Bill of Rights, a traitor to our Constitution and a traitor to America.
Wasn't Dodd going to filibuster (again)? Or will that come later?
i hope this gets out about hillary so the
voters realize she is as careless with the constitution
as bush.
i hope the remaining primaries show an overwhelming
vote in favor of obama. clinton has shown her corporate face again
Paul in LA @ 22:
thank you and fuck you too.
Oh GOD do I remember all the crap I took from Dem Party hacks for suggesting that the Dems can not and will not fix any of this ever after Nov 2006...
GUESS WHAT? Dems will change NOTHING after Nov 2008 either...
The USA is a one party state with two corrupt factions.
Wake up.
Senator Bill Nelson of Florida voted with the repubs. I can scream and yell all I want, he just doesn't give a damn what I and many others think. He used to be one of the semi good guys but something happened. He's one of "them" now.
Once you say that corporations can break the law at the government's request with no warrant required, you have allowed them to act above the law. Lawlessness in corporations is not good. Think of the future dark possibilities.
fwacbar @ 2:
Good idea. Anyone know which companies told Bush to fuck off? They get my business.
FWIW, that should read Evan Bayh (D-IN), not (D-IA). I wouldn't want the good folks of Iowa to be blamed for our wayward Senator.
How do the Clinton supporters explain that she didn't even bother to show up on an issue that has been CENTRAL in the liberal blogosphere for months. She didn't want to go against her corporate masters but didn't want to piss of liberals. This is the triangulation that will supposedly "lead" Democrats back to the white house. Thank God she has all that experience, maybe next time she can show up and vote.
i intention is to stir up all the rage i feel
right now. this is not personal to anyone.
i just feel like venting. some of you feel
inclinded to correct everyone's opinions
to reflect their own. just state yours and
bugger off. thanks again
On days like this, I like to come home from work and sit down, have a bloody mary and blast Nine inch nails all over the house.
Johnny2Bad @ 359:
Nice line, but not the same.
Paul in LA @ 137:
The thing you will notice is that federal officials have no specific connection to any state - like the vice president or secretary of state. Senators DO NOT fall into this category. They have very specific connections to ONE state - and no other states.
Senators ARE NOT federal officials. Chertoff is a federal official. Senators are statewide elected officials serving in Washington in the senate. Senators may have some functions connections to the federal government, but they owe their very existence to the states in which they were elected. They are statewide elected officials like the governor. The governor serves in the state capital while senators serve in Washington.
As statewide elected officials, senators are subject to the state constitution. Senators are recallable if their state constitution includes recall provisions for statewide officials.
The better question is - are senators impeachable. If they are federal officials (which they are not) they are impeachable. If they are statewide elected officials - they are recallable. Your assertion that they are beyond reach once sworn is hogwash in any case.
Johnny2Bad@359: McGovern drew almost all his support from the far left of the democratic party. Obama/Hillary are drawing their support from middle of the road dems and the progressive left of the party. Apples and oranges.
I am totally not surprised, at all.
The fact of it is, there are two choices here.
1. Fight them physically to get our country back.
2. Don't fight and see more of what there has been over the last 7 years until you are so weak from hunger and so poor you have nothing left to fight with.
As a resident of Illinois, I'm proud that both of my Senators got it right.
This makes me want to puke in my mouth. BETRAYED AGAIN. Fuck it. I'm done. Hey, all of you goddamn cowards that voted for this... go fuck yourselves.
Obama showed, Hillary didn't. Hillary didnt voice a fucking word about this, and her silence is deafening. She could have put her leverage to work. She didnt.
Any Hillary Progressives should hang their fucking heads in shame. Any women who want better rights- will this woman sell you out the way she did Progressives?
Edwards is out, so she might as well run back to the right.
and almost 20 chickenshit/bought and paid for Democrats joined the piece of shit Republicans.
Goddamn it all to hell, are you fucking fed up yet?
Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Evan Bayh (D-IA), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Herb Kohl (D-WI), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ken Salazar (D-CO), Tom Carper (D-DE), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Jim Webb (D-VA), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Kent Conrad (D-ND), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
DEFEAT THEM. DO NOT VOTE FOR THEM. EVER. IF THEY PUT MICKEY MOUSE UP AGAINST THEM, DON'T VOTE FOR THEM.
They have sold your future down the river. Again. Wake up America, your government has Fucked you in the Ass with a baseball bat. Again.
you have the constitutional right to change your government. If the government makes peaceful change impossible, it will make violent change inevitable.
Welcome to the Paul in LA blog. How much do you suppose he gets paid to haunt crooks and liars?
Hey, Feinstein. Did you not get my four messages left at your fucking offices? Did you not get ALL of our messages? We said NO FUCKING IMMUNITY. YOU GODDAMNED TRAITOR. What kind of spell are you under, that you think this is okay? Are we going to have to pick up rifles to show you we're serious about our rights? All of you fuckwits on the right trading your Constitution for your "safety"... you'll be remembered with DISGUST by generations to come.
nohobear @ 369:
I'm still waiting for him to answer any of the questions I had. I guess I won't hold my breath.
Looks like many of the democrats elected during the 'dark ages' were closet republicans. After november, we need to follow FDL's example and try to replace the lot. These are not liberals, or progressives. We will not win back our Country with them in power.
diamondmc @ 354:
the Patriot who was most adamantly opposed to federal power was John Hancock.
Give me Liberty or Give me Death!!!
So the people we spent our hard-earned money and time on, McCaskill and Webb, have turned around, spat on us, and are probably laughing their asses off right now that we voted for them without vetting them as real progressives. Instead of what they really are: stealth Repubs.
Truth B Told @ 373:
All of them would be rolling over in their grave right now.
Honestly, I am finding it hard to see how people can get excited about Obama voting against telecom immunity. Sure it’s far far better than Hillary, but he could have actually led on this, by using his candidacy to mention this in public and get people riled up about it. He could have shamed all the gutless pols publicly.
Instead, all he did was cast a vote. Hardly the marks of a leader. A sheep can be taught to cast a vote. But I guess he's a better sheep than Hillary, at this point.
anon @ 362 "The thing you will notice is that federal officials have no specific connection to any state"
That's a false distinction.
- like the vice president or secretary of state. Senators DO NOT fall into this category. They have very specific connections to ONE state - and no other states.
"Senators ARE NOT federal officials."
You are wrong about that.
"the better question is - are senators impeachable. If they are federal officials (which they are not) they are impeachable. If they are statewide elected officials - they are recallable."
Of course Senators are impeachable. And, no, Senators CANNOT be recalled. Any state that offers such a supposed power has a court case, not a law. Once sworn in, the prerogatives of Congress override those of the state.
For instance,
And on the impeachment count, there is a controversy about the Constitutional definition of "civil officers." However, since the Constitution gives the power of REMOVAL from the Senate (or House) by the Senate (or House), impeachment is actually moot, since the only power of impeachment conviction is removal. So, whether or not they get an impeachment trial, the result would be the same.
Actual impeachments of only the following 17 federal officers have taken place. Of these, 13 were federal judges...one was a U.S. Senator (William Blount). ...
Officials subject to impeachment
The central question regarding the Constitutional dispute about the impeachment of members of the legislature is this: Are members of Congress "officers" of the United States? The Constitution grants to the House the power to impeach "The President, the Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States." [5] Many believe firmly that Members of Congress are not "officers of the United States." [6]. Others, however, believe that Members are civil Officers and are subject to impeachment.
The 1799 impeachment of Senator William Blount of Tennessee stalled on the grounds that the Senate lacked jurisdiction over him. Because, in a separate action unrelated to the impeachment procedure, the Senate had already expelled Blount, the lack of jurisdiction may have been either because Blount was no longer a Senator, or because Senators are not "civil officers" of the federal government who are subject to impeachment. No other member of Congress has ever been impeached, although the Constitution does give authority to either house to expel members, which each has done on occasion, effectively removing the individual from functioning as a representative or senator.
Paul in LA @ 377:
Could you provide an example of a Senator's "very specific connection" to his or her state? Other than how they are referred to and where they might sit, plus traditions such as placing holds on judges that will be placed in their state, I can't think of anything. There's nothing in the Constitution. A Senator is a federal official that happens to come from a certain state. Period. End of story.
Sorry, cbolt2 @ 380, I'm not the person making that claim.
Anon @ 362 is your culprit.
(I suspect, however, you will find plenty of on the State-specific endowment of Senators in the Federalist Papers).
Dempublican Evan Bayh is from Indiana, not Iowa. Hillary would have voted the same way had she shown up for the vote. That is one more reason why Obama is now winning.
Paul in La@382: God your back running another screed. You still haven't answered any of the questions I asked from your last screed. You attack me for for a point of veiw, but you don't show any facts, or answer any questions when asked. You just go on with something else. Stand up for what you say, if you really believe any of the BS you run.
cbolt2 @ 380:
All Senators are part of the Federal Goverment. They are elected from each state to represent that states intrests within the frame work of the Federal goverment of the United States. They are one branch of the Federal Goverment, which is supposed to be one of the checks and balances.
clinton? a no show. did not vote.
if you need a nail in the coffin, there you fuckin' go.
just AMAZING...
.
R E M E M B E R ...
THEY HATE US
F O R ` O U R
F R E E D O M S
So to actuate a quicker "WIN" in this war of terrorism America participates in,
Congress has been deciding to give away our one and only guarantee of Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness...
The People's Bill of Rights contained as part of the entire body of the Constitution of the United States of America.
Congress prefer to give up our Freedoms and Liberties so as to obtain a sense of security,
Is that what Americans deserve? We know how this is supposed to end...
So,
Just what does Congress support and defend IF NOT the Constitution of the USA?
.
Ryan From Portland @ 386:
NO DOUBT!!!
She was ABSENT!
Absent at a critical moment where America and Her People's Right were under direct assault.
Absent to stand up for America, Her People and Her Principles...
Absent to fight for the Constitutional Rights of her constituents back in NY -
Absent to demonstrate her fight and leadership of the People's Rights and Freedoms...
.
Maybe we can get Bill Clinton's buddy, attorney William Lerach, to sue the phone companies. (Can you sue from prison?)
.
U.S. Congressional Oath of Office:
P L E A S E ` N O T E :
This Oath of Office mentions HOW this obligation is to be taken ~
"... freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion..."
Makes it clear as to what the excuses Pelosi gives are concerning her "OFF THE TABLE" statement... NO?
.
Max-1 @ 388:
Careful, a bunch of people will jump all over you and say that the vote wasn't going to be close so she didn't need to vote. Even though that goes against the message that every person needs to do their part and you need to stand up for what you believe in. I guess we can have both "one person can make a difference" and "don't bother trying if you can't make a difference" operating at the same time. I guess everyone should have just voted for immunity since it didn't really matter. Right?
Roark77 @ 391:
The votes on this bill were known long, long ago. You could have sat down last August and counted the votes -- the same ones that passed the Protect America Act with the Republicans.
So Clinton has to decide whether she wants to be campaigning to try to save her campaign, or taking a campaign stop in DC to lose with the rest of the caucus.
She's on record as opposing the immunity. So you're just trashing her because you don't like her, not because this is some sort of tragic personal failing on her part.
Max-1 @ 390:
No. You're looking at the vote in the Senate. What don't you see?
--You don't have 67 votes in the Senate that opposes these policies enough to convict the President.
You can blame the Speaker for that, but how many Republicans do you have supporting impeachment so far (in either body, for that matter)? Any? How many Republican votes for impeachment on the Conyers committee? How many Republican votes for impeachment on the 5-4 Court? (4).
diamondmc @ 384:
What are you talking about. As far as the Qwest argument? You said your piece. I think you're accepting protestations of innocence where none are to be found. We differ in our opinions -- what more is to be said? I am unaware of attacking your point of view, but am actually criticising the credibility of the information you're relying on.
Is it time for civil disobeidance yet? This shit is sooo boring yesterday ...
dadams @ 29:
Right-o, I'll wear your disdain with honor, Republican-voter.
Get the fuck over it Paul... I don't fucking care if you like my language or not mister... These bastards, cocksuckers or whatever YOU want to call them just sold our privacy rights straight down the frikking drain and my choice of language ain't the fucking issue here Mr Paul from L.A!!!!
Paul in LA @ 25:
You're assuming the "sucker" and "suckee" are the same gender. The term may be offensive, but YOU are being sexist in assuming jack damage is referring to 2 men.
Just sayin.......
fwacbar @ 2:
CREDO Mobile, they're awesome. I signed up with them several months ago.
www.credomobile.com
Hillary Clinton was in Texas. Obama was in D.C. shoring up the base, including robocalls from Michelle Obama.
The time for Hillary and Barack to have made a stand was back when Dodd initially began fighting against telecom immunity. A black mark against both of them.
I've heard speculation about Webb being chosen as Barack's running mate. I guess we can put that one to rest, then. McCaskill's endorsement and campaigning for Barack gave him the slim edge he needed to win Missouri.
It's pretty f*cking clear where this country is headed, and from what I see, none of the road signs say "Democracy" anymore. So it doesn't really matter who is president, because the corporations own everything, lock, stock, and barrell. Whether upfront or in the shadows, they own us.
Anybody see those photos of Obama on the campaign trail, with his big box of Dunkin Doughnuts? Nice advertising, Barack. Remember the pic of bush with his carefully-held cup of Dunkin Doughnuts? The Carlyle Company bought Dunkin Doughnuts in March of 2006. No way that Barack didn't know this. Starbucks is the blue company, DD is the red one.
So let's stop slamming Hillary for being the corporate candidate. Most Americans have no clue who owns what. Barack is doing a fine job of fooling them, too.
Even if Hillary's vote would not have made a difference, she should have still been there just to go on record that she was against this. Seems it would have been a really wise move on her part. Because now we don't know where she stands. Neither do the people in Texas whose votes she is courting right now.
dadams @ 28:
I understand, and to some extend, agree w/your frustration. But let's be real.
Both she and Obama knew well in advance that the votes(AYE) were not there to
support Dodd's amendment. I agree that it seems unlady-like(or whatever term you
chose to use) for Hillary to "miss the vote call" and instead be campaigning in Texas,
for I think she should have flown back to D.C. for this important issue, so I am not
excusing her. On the other hand, Obama was in the D.C. area(campaigning in Maryland
and Virginia) so was "close by" and could easily attend and cast his CORRECT vote.
But, to be redundant, repeat and say again..."the dye had been cast" and ALL knew
this was going down to defeat. Now our only hope is that the U.S. House members
stand by their guns(opposed to immunity for the telecom industry) and are successful
in their efforts to correct this.
Oh and Jack - I heartily agree with your sentiment, though.
dadams @ 29:
PiLA IS the Democratic Party, not know? He speaks for the entire party until someone proves him wrong, then he jumps onto someone else's posts. He is the Dem resident "excuse maker"...does the job well.
RBK @ 39:
Thanks!
okay. this is the last straw.
HOW oh how do we get rid of Diane Feinstein? I'm a CA resident and I'm sick of her BS. Seriously, any ideas?
=ck
DL @ 34:
Her vote would not have changed this one bit, and in Clintonian-type politics you skip every vote that can be used against you by the conservative powerbase of the media you can.
Consult history, you will see that FDR did exactly the same thing -- it's a political method -- and as the case with FDR shows CLEARLY, such "trimming" (as they called it in his day) does not predict what the person can accomplish once they have the power.
They called FDR "feather duster" Roosevelt BECAUSE he went this way and that, avoiding any marks even at the cost of his reputation, STILL secured power (because that method, cowardly as it is, can work), and changed the world.
Btw, I would like to recommend a great book, "The Defining Moment" by Jonathan Alter (2006). Superb retelling of the Roosevelt transition to power (the book is focused on 1928-1934), with great insight into his sort of political 'cowardice' that, even so, can result in great change for the better.
We have the power of the internet, I encourage all to use it. Flood Ms Clinton's in box, let her know that she will not get your vote. She let her own political aspirations trump our personal freedoms. She is just the same old D.C. BULLSHIT. Billery, stick a fork in ya, your done!
As for the rest of Demacripts that joined the Rethuglicans in yet another compromise of our Constitution, Email them and tell them they are the next to go. Actively work to get rid of them! Let them know "YES WE CAN!"
GOBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Freedom ,
WIFM ,
really
Obama surprisewd me by showing up. And he just earned my vote for voting against immunity. Both of my Senators voted for immunity. No surprise with senator Warner, But Senator Webb's vote feels like a betrayal. when he ran, he represented himself as one who would look after the Constitution. Instead he sold America and the Constitution down the river. I will be supporting any moves that arise to unseat him; he has been tested and shown to be lacking.
Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Evan Bayh (D-IA), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Herb Kohl (D-WI), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ken Salazar (D-CO), Tom Carper (D-DE), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Jim Webb (D-VA), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Kent Conrad (D-ND), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
Remember that list of scum bags. Each and every one needs to stop servicing GW and his corporate mobsters. Each and every one needs to lose their job.
This legislation reminds me of the retro-active immunity that Hitler have the German Insurance companies after Kristallnacht. As soon as you make it legal for some people to break the law, then nobody will respect it.
Am I wrong, or by the mere fact that Clinton didn't bother to show this wouldn't have been able to pass?
I count only 49 dems there. Maybe they were hoping for a republican to cross over, but for better or for worse, unlike the democrats, those guys actually vote as a team on important issues.