Chris Dodd to Put Hold On FISA Reform

Greg Sargent reports that, “Senator Chris Dodd plans to put a hold on the Senate FISA renewal bill because it reportedly grants retroactive immunity to telephone companies for any role they played in the Bush administration’s warrantless eavesdropping program.”

Doesn’t this just mean the administration will continue what it’s now doing and which provided impetus for the legislation? I’m sure Dick Cheney is cowering in his boots, muttering something about a briar patch.

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James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. Hal says:

    First, let me congratulate you on belittling stuff – top notch job.

    Second, note that the law in question is set to expire, so they will once again be operating outside of the law – something that you seem to be more concerned less with than making fun of Senators.

  2. bob in fl says:

    I wasn’t aware the FISA law was sunsetting. That means that the administration will either have to stop all domestic warrantless eavesdropping or be in violation of the law. This is the best news I’ve heard all week.

    I am sure Telecom’s lawyers warned them of the threat of lawsuits if they just went ahead & complied with what Bush wanted to do. Sounds like they listened instead to the lobbyists who said the fix is in. They made the choice; let them suffer the consequences. Isn’t that, after all, the neo con mantra?

  3. Hal says:

    The current law they are “operating” under was only good for 6 months.

  4. Regina Baxter says:

    Dear Senator Dodd,
    Thank for having the courage to stand up for our Constitutional rights. We need more men and women like you. God bless you.
    Sincerly,
    Regina Baxter