House rejected telecom immunity
W00t!
Salon: House Democrats reject telecom amnesty, warrantless surveillance
Important to note: They did it the last time too, but then the Senate caved, but then the House said No A Second Time. So, it's back to the Senate again. Even so, this is _highly_ positive news.
Highlights:
* It's also true that even if it did pass the Senate, the President will veto it, and there won't be enough votes to override the veto. So this bill won't become law, but that doesn't matter... The reality is that the best possible outcome here is nothing -- we lived quite well for 30 years under FISA ... What matters is not that this bill becomes law, but that the Rockefeller/Cheney bill does not. -- Greenwald (Salon)
* I can't recall ever watching a debate on the floor of either House of Congress that I found even remotely impressive -- until today. -- Greenwald (Salon)
* the gulf between the administration and House Democratic leaders is now so wide that the issue may not be resolved until a new president takes office next year. -- Weisman (Wash Post)
* The House bill, while allowing problematic basket warrants, does ensure judicial oversight of domestic surveillance and provides a mechanism for both the telecommunications companies and their consumers to make their case in a court of law. -- Frederickson (ACLU)
Other Links:
Washington Post: House Passes a Surveillance Bill Not to Bush's Liking
EFF: EFF Applauds House Passage of Surveillance Bill with No Telecom Immunity
ACLU: The House Stands Up to Scare Tactics, House Votes to Let Consumers Have Their Day in Court
House Clerk: Final Vote Tallies - Bill Title: To amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978...
Salon: House Democrats reject telecom amnesty, warrantless surveillance
Important to note: They did it the last time too, but then the Senate caved, but then the House said No A Second Time. So, it's back to the Senate again. Even so, this is _highly_ positive news.
Highlights:
* It's also true that even if it did pass the Senate, the President will veto it, and there won't be enough votes to override the veto. So this bill won't become law, but that doesn't matter... The reality is that the best possible outcome here is nothing -- we lived quite well for 30 years under FISA ... What matters is not that this bill becomes law, but that the Rockefeller/Cheney bill does not. -- Greenwald (Salon)
* I can't recall ever watching a debate on the floor of either House of Congress that I found even remotely impressive -- until today. -- Greenwald (Salon)
* the gulf between the administration and House Democratic leaders is now so wide that the issue may not be resolved until a new president takes office next year. -- Weisman (Wash Post)
* The House bill, while allowing problematic basket warrants, does ensure judicial oversight of domestic surveillance and provides a mechanism for both the telecommunications companies and their consumers to make their case in a court of law. -- Frederickson (ACLU)
Other Links:
Washington Post: House Passes a Surveillance Bill Not to Bush's Liking
EFF: EFF Applauds House Passage of Surveillance Bill with No Telecom Immunity
ACLU: The House Stands Up to Scare Tactics, House Votes to Let Consumers Have Their Day in Court
House Clerk: Final Vote Tallies - Bill Title: To amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978...