Yesterday, the House defeated the Schiff amendment to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2007. This amendment would have prohibited funds from being used to violate FISA, thus using the power of the purse to end This Administration's illegal spying on Americans. It failed, 207 to 219.
More . . .
Here's the amendment's title:
to prohibit the use of funds from being available to engage in electronic surveillance in the United States except as authorized under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act or chapter 119 or chapter 121 of title 18, United States Code. For purposes of this amendment, the terms "electronic surveillance" and "United States" have the meanings given those terms in section 101 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Well, lucky for us it was a roll call vote (#295) so we've got the names of the 15 Democrats who don't think the Constitution is as important as supporting President Bush in his illegal spying. Here they are:
Barrow
Boswell
Clyburn
Cramer
Davis (TN)
Edwards
Harman
Matheson
Melancon
Mollohan
Murtha
Ruppersberger
Skelton
Snyder
Spratt
I don't think there's any excuse for these Representatives. We could have passed this amendment, which would have been huge. 23 Republicans voted AYE, and good for them.
So if your rep is on this list, give 'em a call or an email and let them know what you think of their vote for NSA's illegal spying.
Thanks, folks.