Reauthorization of FISA domestic spying against the American people passed the Senate late Friday, just before midnight— and right after they defeated all six amendments from progressives and conservatives who said the spying powers are too broad and demanded protections for Americans’ civil liberties and privacy. The final vote was 60-34. 17 Democrats— plus why-is-he-still-in-the-Senate-Bob Menendez— voted against it, basically the only ones who should even be considered worth helping reelection… if not for the monstrosities they’re running against, lesser of two evils elections being the foundation of American politics. Anyway… the Democrats who took the right vote Friday night:
Bernie (I-VT)
Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Ed Markey (D-MA)
Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
Peter Welch (D-VT)
Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
Chris Murphy (D-CT)
Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Laphonza Butler (D-CA)
Ron Wyden (R-OR)
Patti Murray (D-WA)
Jon Tester (D-MT)
Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Schumer manipulated the timing of the vote in such a way that had any of the amendments protecting the American people— his enemies— passed, the FISA powers would have lapsed while the whole mess was sent back to the fractious and dysfunctional House. Durbin’s amendment “to prohibit warrantless access to the communications and other information of United States persons,” failed with 50 senators voting no. I was relieved to see half a dozen Democrats who voted for the final travesty did vote for Durbin’s amendment: Tina Smith (MN), Martin Heinrich (NM), Tim Kaine (VA), Ben Ray Lujan (NM), Chris Coons (DE) and Alex Padilla (CA).
Wyden, a member of the Intelligence Committee: “It’s important that people understand how sweeping this bill is. Something was inserted at the last minute, which would basically compel somebody like a cable guy to spy for the government. They would force the person to do it and there would be no appeal.” It was inserted? By whom?