Yesterday we had an explosion of reactions from members of Congress and from our Blue America-endorsed candidates regarding what many people feel is a betrayal by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. I know that John would never brag about it but when Hoyer was fighting for the Majority Leader job, John was the loudest voice on the Internet in opposition, predicting… well, just the kind of thing that happened yesterday. Hit that link and read why respected congressional legal minds like Jerrold Nadler, Tom Allen Russ Feingold, and Chris Dodd are saying no to Hoyer’s compromise capitulation. When I was in DC recently I ran into Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) and I congratulated him on finding a very nasty little loophole the Bush Regime had somehow inserted in some legislation when no one was looking. He beamed and was happy that someone knew about his efforts… and then told me his re-election was in jeopardy and asked for help from our PAC. “Congressman Welch,” I said politely, you can’t be in jeopardy when the Republicans can’t even find a third-tier candidate to run against you.” He laughed. He wasn’t laughing today, though, when he explained why he would vote against the Hoyer-Bush plan to do grave violence to the Constitution:
“I simply do not believe any president, especially this president, should have unilateral or unchecked authority to conduct surveillance without judicial oversight. Congress has an obligation to protect our national security without sacrificing basic rights provided in our Constitution. “While this compromise reflects improvements over previous flawed proposals, it is a compromise I will not support. I have consistently opposed any legislation that grants retroactive immunity for telecommunication companies that cooperated with the Bush administration’s warrantless wiretapping. Regrettably, this latest proposal fails to hold the administration and the companies accountable for their actions. The American people deserve to know exactly what happened and they deserve to know who is accountable. This bill fails that test.”
Very polite but very much to the point. Peter Welch stands with the people of Vermont and the people of the United States, not with Bush, Hoyer and their big criminal campaign donors. Another member, who has asked to remain anonymous, for obvious reasons, just said this: “Steny Hoyer is the best friend money can buy.” We’ll see all the competition for the best friends money can buy during the vote today.
UPDATE: Blue America’s John Hall speaks out against FISA:
I have consistently supported modernizing the existing FISA law to give our government the tools it needs to identify and defeat terrorists in today’s high-tech world, while at the same time preserving the freedoms and rights that define America. I have voted three times to pass legislation that would strengthen and modernize FISA and reaffirm the rule of law. Despite some improvements over previous attempts to update FISA, the bill considered by the House today regrettably falls short of achieving that critical balance. The rule of law lies at the core of America’s founding principles, and the language in this bill was too weak to ensure that any breach of our laws that may have occurred under the warrantless wiretapping program will be fully addressed. It is not appropriate to deny Americans the right to pursue these matters in court, or to short-circuit the judicial review that lies at the heart of our system of checks and balances, which is the bedrock of our Constitution. Accordingly, I voted against this bill.
No Trackbacks To “Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) on FISA: ‘The American people deserve to know exactly what happened and they deserve to know who is accountable. This bill fails that test.“
This bill has zero chance in the Senate. Thank you Sen Feingold et al.
That’s my congresscritter! thanks Mr Welch
first?
This bill better be defeated in the Senate! I am tired of our freedoms being pissed away.
Obama, Dodd, and Feingold…save us all from satan’s power so we shan’t go astray!!!
What Rep Peter D. Welch said!!!! About time someone was this concise… This bill absolutely fails this test!
There is about a 50/50 split of parties in the Senate. Fat chance that it will fail.
Pelosi is ultimately responsible for this disaster. She is a Bush protector and enabler. The first female Speaker…yeah, right…BFD.
thank you and praise to all those in the house
who voted against this criminal bill and
FUCK ALL THOSE WHO VOTED FOR IT.
this administration is always three steps ahead of everyone else…….secrecy and signing statements….they are NEOCONS with an agenda…..they will cheat, lie,strong arm and have an unfair advantage at all times……..the legislative branch has treid to warn us….they are being out maneuvered on every move especially related to the occupation……..how…all possible moves were preidentitfied/ opposed before the they occurred.
CNN just said it’s suppose to pass. grrrrrrrrrrrrrr
casper46 @ 9:
Take that grrrrrrrrrrrrrr and hit the streets! The American people don’t want this bill, Eff the idiots who think they’re in power.
.
Q U E S T I O N:
Is it TREASON to undo the Constitution?
Is it TREASON to undermine the Republic?
Is it TREASON to VIOLATE the Oath to support and defend our Rights and FREEDOMS?
.
Steny Hoyer is up for reelection in 2008. Let take him out.
Steny Hoyer FISA Ad To Run in Washington Post
http://firedoglake.com/2008/06.....gton-post/
Lollimom @ 6:
Pelosi fills TWO bills..
The First woman Speaker adn…
The W(orst) woman Speaker!
.
john yoo.. the constitution is below nation security…you can thank him and addington for some of this shit
OT but WOW! Supplies FINALLY made it to New Orleans for Katrina.
I just finished reading MattTaibbi’s book, “Smells Like Dead Elephants” among other things he tells how the House worked in 2005 and 2006. He tells you how the backroom deals are made and so much more. Of course during that time the Repubs held the House and some of that time Delay was in charge. It makes you sick to your stomach to see the sorts of wheeling and dealing and money that was exchanged.
By the way, it’s a hell of a book! He’s also a hell of a writer. Funny at times and intense as hell at times.
Sadly today it appears some of these things continue, no matter which party has the reins.
I have a little hope that this will die in Congress, but the past actions gives me less hope than I would like to have.
There is too many democrats in Congress that will follow Pelosi and vote yea:
Boxer
Feinstein
Webb
and Lieberman (I)
Hoyer is an enemy of the Constitution.
Here’s my question, do they know something that we do not? Why would they cave like this if money wasn’t involved? How much telecom money went to Hoyer for his last campaign and how much has been promised to him for his next one?
harley @ 18:
You’re wrong about Boxer. All the others you’re right. But you’re wrong about Boxer.
She ain’t no saint, But she has voted against this in the past.
Yeah casper, I can’t believe those supplies sat around for two years in warehouses without FEMA knowing it. Would it be different if the supplies were intended for an affluent area? It seems to me that FEMA just doesn’t care about the poor and downtrodden. Especially those who don’t seem to have a voice.
Follow the money. Forget the parties and colors:
>The Carlyle Group is a global private equity investment firm, based in Washington, D.C., with more than $81.1 billion of equity capital under management.
>Meet The Carlyle Group
Former World Leaders and Washington Insiders Making Billions in the War on Terrorism
>Carlyle only tells the public what it wants. In a radio interview, McKinney accused the Bush administration of ’serving the interests’ of Carlyle and said that ‘persons close to this administration are poised to make huge profits off America’s new war’.
>Carlyle’s prior telecom investments have included positions in Northpoint Communications, Teligent, Inc., Global Crossing, and Nextel Communications. Additionally, Carlyle’s principals include current and former senior managers and directors of major telecommunications companies including MCI Communications, Nortel Networks and Bell Atlantic.
>Former Verizon Strategy and Development Chief, James Attwood, to Join the Carlyle Group as Managing Director in Telecommunications and Media
>In 2005, Verizon sold off GTE’s former telephone operations in Hawaii to The Carlyle Group
the sale of Verizon Hawaii to The Carlyle Group for $1.65 billion in cash.
>Carlyle Group Hires Its First In-House Lobbyist
Marchick, a former Clinton administration official, will advise Carlyle on regulatory issues
Marchick is vice chairman of Covington’s international trade and finance practice group and is a senior adviser to Kissinger McLarty Associates. A Carlyle spokesman declined to comment.
Mega-dollars can BUY ANY COLOR it wants, whenever it wants. You want immunity? Just take it out of “petty” cash.
pissed off patricia @ 20:
I read somewhere else that some of these Reps. were in on this whole spying shit and were just covering their own asses.
Take with grain of salt.
mudshark @ 21:
Opps, I meant Bayh.
Edwards is out on medical leave.
Not enough Democrats to defeat it. All the Reps will vote yea down the line.
Pelosi + Hoyer + Reid = Lieberman
Hoyer is public enemy #1. We need to hold him up as an example to other Bush dog democrats that don’t understand the consequences of selling out American freedom to corporate campaign lobbyists.
Steny ad to run in WaPo.
http://firedoglake.com/2008/06.....gton-post/
harley @ 25:
I think Bayh voted against it too. Edwards is no longer in the Senate.
al @ 23:
George Bush I is a consultant to the Caryle group.
P.D. @ 22:
I was watching the news last night and had a piece on the levees at East St. Louis, Ill. I still predict if they get breached, it will be exactly like Katrina. Mostly black and heavily Democratic.
mudshark @ 28:
Bayh has been a consistent: Bayh (D-IN), Yea
pete @ 19:
Hoyer commits TREASON to the Republic.
Are WE safer for this…?
Are WE stronger for this…?
Are WE more secure because of this…?
The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution is a pact set up by the Founders of the Nation as part of the Bill of Rights FOR THE PEOPLE.
The Federal Constitution was ratified ONLY when the entire Bill of Rights was included to grant safeguards for the People and to limit the Government’s encroachment into personal Liberties and Freedoms.
Today, members of CONgress seek to undo those safeguards to Liberty and Freedom.
Are we safer from a government that seeks to spy on us when they are allowed to spy on us with immunity and impunity?
America was established to be a bastion of Liberty and Freedom. A Nation ruled by laws and NOT by men, money, and mayhem.
America was established to be FREE from TYRANNY! Yet today, THEY(sic) HATE OUR FREEDOMS… and seek to undo those Bills of Rights to Freedom.
The Body of Congress is engaging in TREASON!
They MUST be held accountable. Their votes on record ARE the evidence of TREASON.
How are THEY(sic) supporting and defending the Constitution when they seek to undermine that Constitution?
T R E A S O N!
.
harley @ 31:
I’ll take your word for it harley,but I’ll look into this at a later date. I’ve got a doctors appointment . Oh I gotta ask. Did you name your dog harley?
Here is the stats from S2248 the last FISA bill votes that Pelosi said would be overturned later.
YEAs —68
Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Bennett (R-UT)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Conrad (D-ND)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Craig (R-ID)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Dole (R-NC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagel (R-NE)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Inouye (D-HI)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kohl (D-WI)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lieberman (ID-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCain (R-AZ)
McCaskill (D-MO)
McConnell (R-KY)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Roberts (R-KS)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Smith (R-OR)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (R-PA)
Stevens (R-AK)
Sununu (R-NH)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)
Webb (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wicker (R-MS)
NAYs —29
Akaka (D-HI)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Harkin (D-IA)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Murray (D-WA)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Wyden (D-OR)
Not Voting - 3
Clinton (D-NY)
Graham (R-SC)
Obama (D-IL)
mudshark @ 33:
Harley is my cat.
al @ 23:
Keep your head down, al - speaking plainly can be hazardous to your health.
harley @ 35:
Thanks for posting the vote tally. A friend om mine, his son has a dog named harley. Just a shot in the dark. Have a great day.
Sachem @ 1:
Didn’t this already go through the Senate? We’re talking HR 3773 right? That already passed in the Senate: [GovTrack]. Or does it need to go back to the Senate because the House modified it?
Of course I’m glad Mr. Welch voted in favor of the Constitution today but I haven’t seen him doing enough hard fighting to stop this kind of nonsense the past 18 months. He needs to prove himself by doing more then just offering a no vote on the House Floor to get my vote. And as far as him not having to worry about a Republican challenger I’d like to remind Howie that this IS Vermont, we aren’t slaves to a 2 party system here! He has been doing good on the voting record THIS year but it is an election year. He made some rather questionable votes in 2007 including voting for the sham of a resolution against MoveOn for the Be-Tray-US ad and the sham of a resolution against Iran. Then add to that that he’s been against moving forward on Impeachment. These are all big issues to some of us. Some one like Mr. Welch who thinks exposing liars in the militaries top ranks is bad, war with Iran is OK and holding criminals accountable is bad doesn’t represent most Vermonters! And Representing the constituents IS what Representatives are supposed to do! Although Mr. Welch may be a freshman Congressman he’s been working harder at ingratuating himself to the beltway insider crowd then he has on bringing the troops home from Iraq and holding those responsible for that illegal occupation accountable!
Embittered-Max-Hussein-1 @ 11:
Yes… Duh
E in MD @ 38:
3773 was just a patch job.