Congress Should Oppose Telecom Immunity

by: Jeff Merkley

Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 09:14

Last Friday, the House of Representatives passed the FISA Amendments Act of 2008. It was the wrong move and I urge Congress and the President to reverse course.

The bill will force federal district courts to immediately dismiss any cases against telecommunications companies that participated in illegal surveillance. This is unacceptable. The Constitution of the United States was violated. Over several years telecommunications companies turned over the records of millions of innocent Americans to the federal government without proper oversight and without a warrant.

Jeff Merkley :: Congress Should Oppose Telecom Immunity

The Bush Administration disregarded the Fourth Amendment when it authorized this surveillance and now Congress may provide the Administration and these companies a free pass. This is a mistake. The Senate is set to vote on the FISA bill this week. For the sake of our constitution and the foundation of our democracy, I urge all Senators to unite in opposition to this bill.

If I'm elected to the Senate, I will not hesitate to fight to protect our civil liberties and the laws this nation was founded upon.

I have spoken out against immunity for telecommunications companies throughout this campaign. Last February, I urged my supporters to sign a petition to pressure my opponent, Republican Senator Gordon Smith, to vote against the FISA bill that granted retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies.

Unfortunately, Gordon Smith voted in favor of granting retroactive immunity. I expect him to do the same when the Senate votes on this issue in the coming days. For years, the Bush Administration has been undermining the balance of powers. Checks and balances must be restored and a vote against the immunity bill would be a critical starting point.

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Congress Should Oppose Telecom Immunity | 5 comments

Hi all.... (4.00 / 3)

I'm the netroots director for Merkley. Unfortunately Jeff had to post and run, but he did really want to let you guys know where he stood in case you weren't aware.

We'll try to get him back in the future for a live blog with the bloggers at Open Left. If you guys have any questions...I'll try to answer what I can.

A special thanks to Open Left as well for adding Jeff to your "Better Democrats" Act Blue page. We all really appreciate the support.

Netroots Director for Oregon Senate Candidate Jeff Merkley

by: sarahlane @ Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 14:34:07 PM CDT

Thank you, Jeff!! (0.00 / 0)

We absolutely need leaders who will stand up and say "NO!" to this.

You've shown Oregonians time and again that you're that leader. Thank you for taking this important stand.

by: carla @ Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 16:04:46 PM CDT

Good on ya! (0.00 / 0)

Thanks for posting.

We need all the raised voices we can get on this issue.

Best of luck through November!

Karl in Drexel Hill, PA

by: KB @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 08:00:30 AM CDT

FISA is more than just an Issue (0.00 / 0)

And I appreciate Jeff taking his stand.

This is as basic as an can be. And it is no new type of politics. All of you who go on hope alone, I am sorry for ya, but I have been around for a while, and this guy has lost me.

I can still go for Act Blue progressive candidates, but I will be darned If I think it is a good idea to support someone who so easily capitulates my civil rights that were fine for the first 200+ years of this country, I am a vet, a regular here, and I want to continue to support progressive politics.

What can we do to pressure this, or is it a lost cause already?

by: KC Bill 13 @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 10:29:13 AM CDT

Obama will too, right? (0.00 / 0)

"To be clear: Barack will support a filibuster of any bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies."

--Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton, Oct. 24

http://tpmelectioncentral.talk...

by: justinh @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 16:10:23 PM CDT

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