They are debating the FISA bill on the House floor today.
Here's the amendment they're debating apparently. Nope, it's this bill, sorry.
It's been interesting so far.
The Republicans have compared telecom companies to soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Republicans have argued for NO court oversight at ALL, including FISA itself.
They've argued that the telecom companies are victims because they "can't fight back" against lawsuits, even though you CAN in court. That's the point of the court systems.
They've argued that soldiers have died because of some "loophole" that won't allow anyone to listen in on conversations before the FISA courts approve, even though that's not true. They may wiretap in emergency situations and go to FISA later to get approval.
They argue that the Taliban is following our debates here, therefore we should stop them, that the Taliban says that the PAA has stopped their success. Yes, let's listen to the Taliban on FISA. They also oppose ENDA. So maybe we should listen and comply with what they want. You know, to "win."
Also, current law allows for immunity on reasonable activities of telecom companies.
So are Republicans fighting for immunity for unreasonable activities?
The debate today is mostly on the immunity issue.
The front page thread is getting full so I figured I'd post this one. It's on C-SPAN.
UPDATES: Voting now. Debate's over. C'mon Dems!
Also a caller to C-Span just said that viewers need to know that the eavesdropping started seven months BEFORE 9/11!
(That is true, indeed, but he didn't go so far as to say that 9/11 happened anyway, even with the eavesdropping.)
UPDATE 2: We won. The House bill without immunity passed.
Update 3: As per Kagro X in the comments the bill will now be brought to the senate floor. It could be filibustered once it's on the floor but not until then. He also says fifteen Blue Dogs who had originally supported the bad bill with immunity ended up voting for the bill WITHOUT it today.
So it's a step.
CALL YOUR SENATORS! Tell them you want them to pass the FISA bill as it was passed in the House, with NO immunity for the telecoms.
Update 4: Front page post with list of contacts.