By a vote of 60 to 28, the Senate just passed the bill that President Bush demanded today. Senators such as Mikulski, Klobuchar, and Feinstein promised to vote for the "Bond" version and the Democratic alternative bill for some unstated reason.
Really a pathetic showing by our Senators.
Update [2007-8-3 22:33:25 by andgarden]: I want to make a further point about this, because it connects to a problem I've had with Democrats for a few months. It is possible for them to oppose the President by not passing objectionable bills, amendments, and supplementals. They refuse to exercise this power--which only requires a simple majority. You can see the devastating results of this non-thinking tonight.
Lying earlier, President Bush said
"So far, the Democrats in Congress have not drafted a bill I can sign. We've worked hard and in good faith with the Democrats to find a solution, but we are not going to put our national security at risk. Time is short. I'm going to ask Congress to stay in session until they pass a bill that will give our intelligence community the tools they need to protect the United States."
Update [2007-8-3 21:59:6 by andgarden]: For a complete live blog of the vote a few minutes ago, See Talk Left.
Update [2007-8-3 21:59:6 by andgarden]: Trix asks what will happen next. My guess is that the House will pass the capitulation bill, as always.
Update [2007-8-3 21:59:6 by andgarden]: h/t Big Tent Democrat, Bush nixed the Democratic compromise earlier, which the DNI had agreed to.
A key Democrat in the negotiations, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), says that a deal had in fact been reached with McConnell, who has been busy lobbying Congress on a FISA update all week. "We had an agreement with DNI McConnell," Hoyer spokeswoman Stacey Bernards tells TPMmuckraker, "and then the White House quashed the agreement."
Also, the Democratic alternative falls far short in the Senate.
Update [2007-8-3 21:59:6 by andgarden]: RDemocrat's diary on the Bond bill from earlier.
Update [2007-8-3 22:33:25 by andgarden]:Reuters Says:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Democratic-led U.S. Senate approved a bill on Friday to revamp President George W. Bush's spying program. The vote was 60-28.
Offered by Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the bill would require the administration to describe the procedures it uses in warrantless surveillance of foreign targets overseas.
Update [2007-8-3 23:50:59 by andgarden]: Sagebrush Bob gives us the roll call. I'm out for the night. Thanks all. Go tell your Representative to VOTE NO on this tomorrow!