[bumped - BarbinMD]
Tim Tagaris has Senator Dodd's statement on continuing his FISA filibuster:
"Few things are more detrimental to this country than the erosion of and attack on the civil liberties we enjoy. This isn't a Democratic issue or a Republican issue; this is an American issue. If after debate, the Senate appears ready to pass legislation granting telecom providers retroactive immunity I will use any and all legislative tools at my disposal, including a filibuster, to prevent this deeply flawed bill from becoming law. More and more, Americans are rejecting the false choice that has come to define this administration: security or liberty, but never, ever both. For all those who have stood with me throughout this fight, I pledge, once more, to stand up for you."
Senator Dodd spoke passionately tonight on the Senate floor, detailing the abuses of the Bush administration and the danger of allowing any American corporation to be put above the rule of law. Who will stand with him? In December, the following Senators stood with him:
- Barbara Boxer: (202) 224-3553
- Sherrod Brown: (202) 224-2315
- Russ Feingold: (202) 224-5323
- Ted Kennedy: (202) 224-4543
Bill Nelson: (202) 224-5274
- Ron Wyden: (202) 224-5244
Additionally, these Senators who have expressed support for Dodd's filibuster, but didn't participate on December 17 when Dodd took to the floor either in statements or to Kossacks making phone calls today:
Based on reports from my first post today, Kossacks report that the following Senators oppose telco amnesty but it isn't clear that they'll help Dodd in his filibuster:
Call these Senators and thank them for their support, past, present, and hopeful, and urge them to stand with Senator Dodd in the debate tomorrow and over the next days--however long it takes. If your Senators aren't on the list, call them, urge them to uphold the rule of law and reject telco amnesty, and to help Senator Dodd's filibuster.
Report back here and let us know who's on board.
Update: Bill Nelson said on the floor he will vote for amnesty if he has to, and Durbin staff reports that he will not filibuster