Politics
Debate on FISA Expansion Bill Stalls in House
by Debbie Elliott

All Things Considered, October 17, 2007 · The House had been expected to approve a Democratic overhaul of the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act, but it is now unclear when the vote will occur. Debate on the FISA bill has stalled and Democrats are scrambling to beat back a Republican attempt to kill the measure.

House Majority leader Steny Hoyer admits that Democrats might not have the votes to salvage their bill.

During debate Wednesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the measure would help defend against terrorism threats while protecting the privacy of Americans.

The bill allows surveillance of foreign targets without a warrant, unless those targets are likely to communicate with people in the U.S. In those cases, officials could seek broad “blanket” warrants from a secret federal intelligence court. Civil libertarians are concerned that could violate the privacy of Americans.

What part of the Forth Amendment do you not understand?

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

See also:

Step Up To The Plate

What happened to the House FISA bill?

For one company, FISA wiretaps carry a $1K pricetag

Things are in flux tonight behind the scenes as House Dems struggle to decide whether to support the FISA legislation that two House committees unveiled today. So here’s what we’re able to gather about the state of play right now.

The entire House leadership is supporting the bill, confirms Stacey Bernards, a spokesperson for House Dem leader Steny Hoyer. But where are the House liberals? They are the key group to watch, because their mini-revolt against the legislation last week was taken as a sign that there would be heavy pressure on the House leadership not to capitulate by giving the administration too much power over wiretapping.

So where are they? According to House Dem aides, House liberals appear to be leaning in the direction of supporting the legislation — though nothing is at all certain. Earlier today, an aide says, an internal count of House members showed very strong opposition among liberals to the bill unveiled today. But later in the day, some liberals appeared to be privately concluding that many of their demands — which they unveiled amid last week’s revolt in hopes of influencing the process — had been met, this aide says.

-You’d better show up wearing your finest when they coronate Queen Hillary…she’ll be the most powerful Queen ever. And she’ll come wielding Basket Warrants.

Via Cliff Schecter:

A man walked up to Dick Cheney, calmly told him he thought his Iraq policy was reprehensible, and walked away. A few minutes later he was arrested by the Secret Service, in front of his 8-year-old son, for “assault”.

When he asked what would happen to his child, the Secret Service said, “He can be sent to Child Services.” Luckily, the boy found his mother and was safe.

But the citizen who practiced his free speech spent a few hours in jail before he was released.

The Declaration of Independence: The Want, Will, and Hopes of the People

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Why only 15?