Looks like the debate is going to start tonight, carrying over to tomorrow when Republicans and many Democrats hope a bill will pass quickly that contains retroactive immunity.
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.
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