Just a heads up: Debate on the NSA related amendments (Amash amendment is one of them, these are amendments to the Defense Spending bill) on the floor of the House is beginning now.
C-SPAN: http://www.c-span.org/...
There is still a little time to call your Congressperson.
There is some liveblogging/live tweeting on Twitter:
@EFFLive
@attackerman
@emptywheel
@astepanovich
5:58pm Eastern: The motion on the Pompeo (R-KS) amendment was adopted by voice vote. A recorded vote was requested. This amendment essentially did nothing, as far as I can tell.
6:00pm Eastern: Amash amendment is introduced and debate begins.
6:21pm Eastern: Voice vote sounded close, chair decided the nos had it. People are asking for a recorded vote. ?? I can't tell what's happening, whether they will hold a recorded vote.
They are refusing a recorded vote?? Okay, it looks like there will be a recorded vote after the Pompeo vote. That was a really weird procedure. Ros-Lehtinen (chair) seemed to ignore the multiple requests for a recorded vote.
6:25pm Eastern: Recorded vote on Pompeo amendment begins.
6:30pm: All Callers on C-SPAN supporting Amash vote so far. One is applauding Snowden.
6:34pm: C-SPAN caller says this is just like the bailout. Everybody in America is against this surveillance state but Congress votes for it. I have not heard one caller against the Amash amendment. Another caller says all the arguments against it are fearmongering. Her father and grandfather served the country and say it's not the country that her family has served. C-SPAN host reads tweets. One says "NSA I do not give you permission [to collect my data]". Another caller says she is liberal but supports the Tea Party candidates on some civil liberties issues. She gets very emotional and says she feels like an American today, strongly supports Amash amendment. Next caller from Florida says there is a large libertarian leaning group growing in FL among hispanic voters. Says bill of rights are God given rights, wants people to wake up and realize there are violations to our rights, supports Amash. These calls are coming from all the phone lines, Republican, Democrat and Independent.
6:41pm: Republican line says this is about the 4th amendment, mentions FISA court, supports Amash. Pompeo amendment vote stands at 344-14, 75 nonvoting right now. C-SPAN host has no calls against amendment so he starts reading the statement from the White House. First call comes in that opposes Amash amendment, I think. It was hard to understand what the guy was saying. Another call comes in support of Amash. And another who says there will always be threats, we shouldn't give up our privacy, we're trading freedom for security and that's not the American way. Another tweet says anybody who is against Amash will never get his vote. Another R line, says last hour has been encouraging listening to support for Amash amendment, and all the solidarity from callers R, D and I. Mentions the Restore the Fourth bipartisan movement.
6:49pm: Pompeo amendment vote ended. Passed by 409-12. Recorded vote on Amash amendment begins. A 2 minute vote. Note that the Pompeo amendment was a 15 minute vote. Lots of nay votes racking up right away. 153-172 so far. No dominant party vote.
6:53pm: Amash amendment fails 205-217 on a very rapid 2 minute vote. Chair is having a hard time getting the House in order. More Democrats supported the Amash amendment than opposed it. Nancy Pelosi was against it.
Amash and NSA are trending on Twitter.
Roll call vote will can be found here when it is available:
http://clerk.house.gov/...
Update: For a list of the Democrats who voted no on this amendment, see this diary: Meet the pro domestic surveillance Democrats in the House. I compiled a list and this diary was getting too long, so it is in a separate diary.
Conclusion:
Before you feel disappointed, read some of the tweets at the end of the diary. Many are very encouraged by this and feel that it is an indication of a sea change. Others are inspired and encouraged by the broad coalition of people who were in favor of the amendment and by the genuine speeches given in favor of it, rather than the kabuki that we are so accustomed to. This isn't over.
Sen. Mark Udall says: "House vote on #NSA amendment = sign of growing #bipartisan support to reform #surveillance programs."
Occupy Wall Street says: "The Struggle continues."
Kurt Opsahl, an attorney with EFF says: "I bet the government is freaking out that it was 205 to 217."
Trevor Timm, from EFF and Freedom of the Press Foundation says: "A short-term loss, but huge momentum shift. This NSA domestic program is eventually going down one way or another—Congress or the courts."
Declan McCullagh of CNET says: "Indicates a surveillance sea change in D.C."
Rachel Levinson, an attorney at the Brennan Center says: "Going down by 12 votes is agonizing, but that was AMAZING. Quite a statement."