The debate started about 10:30am ET.
Watch on C-Span2 here:
Live blog Mothership by lgcap is found here.
Live blog #2 by gchaucer2 is found here.
This is live blog #3..
Upcoming diaries:
Recommend the Mothership and not the subsequent diaries please.
Vote on Judiciary Committee (Leahy substitute) is scheduled for 2pm ET.
Some standard advice:
DO NOT POST PICTURES -- they slow down the diary for dial up users. Try to post substantive comments as they are helpful for those who cannot view or listen.
This is not a candidate diary -- take your pie fights elsewhere.
Here's what Tim Tagris at Open Left wrote about what to expect during today's debate:
First order of business will be the Judiciary Bill as a substitute to the horrific Intelligence version. That will probably get tabled by Republicans (per Harry Reid's helpful suggestion) and go away with an overwhelming vote.
Then we'll go to amendments, including Dodd/Feingold that would strip Title II (RI) from the bill. There are other amendments, including ones that will substitute liability from the telecoms to the Administration. Dodd is opposed to this, to the best of my knowledge.
There is also a Feinstein amendment that is the big wild card. That would let the FISA court determine whether lawsuits can go forward. That could conceivably pass.
And when we know what a final bill looks like, we'll know if a filibuster is going to have to happen.
I wouldn't bet on Dodd backing down if a bill contains retroactive immunity.
Intelligence committee bill is the starting point. That bill grants unbridled immunity. First up discussion on the Judiciary Committee bill (substitute bill).
Recap of debate so far:
Sen. Kit Bond (Judiciary member) was the first to speak. He says we need the Intelligence bill to protect the troops and protect us from another terrorist attack. (My interpretation: Protect the administration from further investigation.)
Sen. Russ Feingold (Judiciary Member) notes the differences between these bills is that the JCommittee bill protects the privacy of the citizens who are doing nothing wrong and reigns in the administration from having the oversight. Trust us is not enough. (I heart Sen. Feingold!)
Sen. Bill Nelson-FL (Judiciary Member) Bill crafted so that intelligence can do thier job yet protect the civil liberties of the US citizen. He will introduce the Nelson/Feinstein amendment that calls for FISC review to immunity. He will vote for immunity if that's what the final bill has in it. (So I guess this means he wont support Sen. Dodd's fillibuster.)
Sen. Rockefeller asks for JCommittee bill vote to be held at 2pm ET.
Sen. Hutchison-TX We have to pass this bill today. FISA expires in 9 days! Our enemies wont' expire in 9 days. We must be able to go to a company and ask for their help by granting immunity. (Scare! Scare! Scare! Fear! Fear! Fear!)
Sen. Brownback-KS Supports bi-partisan bill (intelligence committee) because the Prez has promised to veto the JCommittee bill and we don't have time to waste! We only have 9 days!
Sen. Durbin-IL He will support Judiciary Committee substitute. Years ago we (Congress) gave this government the tools but they took advantage and now we must act and support the substitute. Torture, unauthorized wire-taps, water boarding, etc. were all done because of the current FISA. Granting amnesty for people who torture is unforgivable. Quoting Gen. Powell - "Close this embarrassment!" Is there any more grievous sin than to mislead the public into a war?
Sen. Spector-PA (Judiciary member) We are engaged in the continuation of a historic debate. There is grave concern to have an appropriate balance. Administration has disregarded the statute and congress has been ineffective on oversight. Courts have filled the void. We consider today jurisdiction stripping vs. continued access to the courts. My view is an accommodation to keep courts open and allow electronic surveillance to continue. Sen. Whitehouse and I have a substitute that provides that. (This wasn't anticipated in the Tagris agenda for today. Must have happened overnight.)
Sen. Leahy-VT (Judiciary Chairman) Calling for real oversight.
Sen. Dodd-CT Immunity in previous version may have helped this administration break the law. It is wrong because is shuts out our oversight. This administration has been overreaching. There is a pattern of behavior when it comes to rule of law and civil liberties. It would still be ongoing today if not for whistle blower. Objects to retroactive immunity for this admin and any admin. Concentrates power in one branch.
A dangerous, dangerous step. FISA was written precisely to prevent this but there has been abuse. These changes fix that. Intell committee bill offers a semblance of oversight but not real oversight. (I do hope he gets support to filibuster.)
Sen. Chamblis-GA Supports intel bill and says judiciary bill ignores needs of ... (of our prez to do anything he wants.)
Call your Senator here: