This might be a moment when Democratic supporters wonder what all the “changing of the guard” fuss was about when Dems took control of Congress in 2006: On Tuesday, the Senate effectively voted in favor of granting telecommunication companies retroactive immunity for their cooperation in the National Security Agency’s warrantless wiretapping program.

Talking Points Memo’s Muckraker has a breakdown of how senators voted on the proposed Dodd/Feingold amendment, designed to challenge the Bush administration’s creative reinterpretations of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act — in particular, the so-called Protect America Act of 2007. And for all you Campaign ’08 enthusiasts out there, Sen. John McCain voted against the Dodd/Feingold amendment, Sen. Barack Obama voted for it, and Sen. Hillary Clinton was not present for the vote.

Muckraker:

Let there be no doubt: a majority of senators, and a large number of Democrats, think the telecoms should not suffer the hazard of accountability for cooperating with the administration’s warrantless wiretapping program. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) took to the floor last night to give a speech asking, “This is our defining question, the question that confronts every generation: The rule of law, or the rule of men?” The resounding answer: the rule of men.

Read more

AS CHAOS UNFOLDS, FIND SOLID GROUND…

In this time of unprecedented challenges, independent journalism is more vital than ever. At Truthdig, we expose what power wants hidden and give you the clarity to make sense of it all.

Your donation helps ensure that truth telling continues.

SUPPORT TRUTHDIG
In this Article:
#barack obama#chris dodd#election#fisa#foreign intelligence surveillance act#hillary clinton#john mccain#nsa#russ feingold#senate#telecommunications#vote#warrantless#wiretap