FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DEMOCRACY FOR NEW YORK CITY BLASTS PASSAGE OF FISA BILL

Democracy for NYC is severely disappointed that the House of Representatives has
voted to pass a bill that is unnecessary at best, and a severe blow to freedom at
home and abroad. The House vote on H.R.6304, the “FISA Amendments Act of
2008,” indicates a denial of reality among both Democrats and Republicans, and a
repudiation of the foundation of the American way.

Under current law, the President may already authorize wiretaps before even asking
for a secret warrant. There is absolutely no chance that a potential terrorist
operation will go undetected because of a legal technicality. As such, the 1978 law
still upholds the American system of checks and balances while also allowing the
government agencies charged with protecting us to act quickly whenever they
believe that quick action is needed. The law as it exists today works very well,
which is why both left- and right-wing groups and publications have stated that we
don’t need to change it.

Unfortunately, too many people in the House of Representatives don’t understand

The news is out -- thanks to Democratic House Majority "Leader" Steny Hoyer, George W. Bush is going to get immunity for telecoms. Hoyer is giving Bush everything Bush wants. There are those who might call for Hoyer to be strung up by his balls, but it is now apparent that Hoyer lacks the balls to be strung up by.

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UPDATE:
It's over in the House; the bill (H.R.6304) passed 293-129
NY'ers' votes:

Yes votes:
01 Bishop
03 King
04 McCarthy
05 Ackerman
06 Meeks
07 Crowley
13 Fossella
17 Engel
18 Lowey
20 Gillibrand
23 McHugh
24 Arcuri
25 Walsh
27 Higgins
29 Kuhl

No votes:
02 Israel
08 Nadler
09 Weiner
10 Towns
11 Clarke
12 Velázquez
14 Maloney
15 Rangel
16 Serrano
19 Hall
21 McNulty
22 Hinchey
28 Slaughter

Did not vote:
26 Reynolds

Total: 15 Yes, 13 No, 1 no vote.
NY Dems voting yes: Ackerman, Arcuri, Bishop, Crowley, Engel, Gillibrand, Higgins, Lowey, McCarthy, Meeks

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[UPDATE: Rep. Fossella's formidable fundraising factory showed prowess with more $300,000 raised in the just ended quarter -- with $250,000 cash on hand reports Liz Benjamin (Previous claims for Recchia were $220,000 and for Harrison $110,000.). Those keeping up with the race in the 13th Congressional District may also want to read the Sunday’s Strictly Political column by Tom Wrobleski in the Staten Island advance.]

I sometimes wonder if I have become a Yellow Dog Democrat – you know the sort who would vote for a yellow dog if it were the Democratic candidate. And then I remember Susan Molinari who represented Staten Island in the NYC Council and in Congress with wit, intelligence and care. I thought she was very good. I liked as well her Council successor and Finance Commissioner Alfred Cerullo. I have not admired the work of Congress Member Fossella. Let me give you an example of his work which in my view is bad not just because I disagree with his views (which I do) but because his views are couched in misstatements of fact and law.

Mr. Fossella’s essay appeared as a column in the NY Post by GOP Rep.Vito Fossella on a crucial issue pending before Congress; the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. (FISA) Congress Member Fossella also read this piece as the Republican radio address of the week and you can access from his website here .

[For a fair, left-partisan, discussion of the FISA issues, try Dahlia Lithwick's essay in Slate or try mcjoan's post at Kos . For the ACLU's view go here]. The Senate may vote on FISA Feb 4th or 5th. Consider calling your Senator .

As I read it, however, it misstates the facts and law about FISA and it repeats a part-fact part-fiction story which has been discredited. If this is the level of debate that Mr. Fossella is going to advance, the only question left is whether anyone will stay fooled by him

BULLETIN: According to the folks at Democracy for America, Harry Reid has pulled the FISA bill off the Senate floor! His office (and other Senate offices) received so many calls complaining about Reid's craven capitulation to the Bushies that he caved in to us as well.
The original post follows:

Harry Reid is at it again, wimping out bigtime!

The new version of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) has been held up because George W. Bush wants to give retroactive immunity to phone companies that illegally passed information to the federal government.

The House passed a bill without immunity (good for them!), but the Senate has two versions. One version, passed out of the Intelligence committee (that seems to have no intelligence at all) would grant immunity. The other version, passed out of the Judiciary committee, would not.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) has placed a "hold" on the verison of the bill with immunity. In theory, that's supposed to kill immunity -- but Harry Reid won't let procedures get in the way of caving in to Bush again. He is going to move the bill, with immunity, to the Senate floor.

The bill is S.2248, and there are several versions, all of which can be found at the Thomas website.

What to do? Read on: