Patriot Act vote is TOMORROW -- contact your senators

[Cocoa]

http://www.tpmcafe.com/story/2005/12/15/17819/002

VOTE ON CLOTURE TOMORROW

By Russ Feingold

I don't know if you were watching this morning but we had a useful debate over the provisions of the conference report that need to be fixed. As you know, the Republican leadership in the Senate, along with the White House, have been trying to mischaracterize this debate as a partisan issue. One of the things that was striking on the floor this morning was that our side had a variety of members, from all sides of the political spectrum, while just two Republicans took to the Senate floor to defend this conference report. It should be clear to both the President and Republican leadership that over the past four years, the American people have stood up and have demanded changes to this law to protect the rights and liberties of law-abiding citizens.

This has been an uphill fight and it is still not over. The Senate is scheduled to vote on cloture - i.e., cutting off debate -- on the Patriot Act conference report tomorrow morning. This will be the crucial vote that will decide if the Patriot Act will be renewed as is, without the responsible and moderate changes that we made in the Senate bill earlier this year, or if the conference committee will go back to the drawing board and come up with a report that makes sense and protects our individual rights.
Again, this isn't about preventing the Patriot Act from being reauthorized. Nobody wants that and it's false to suggest that we do. Now is the time to do the right thing for the American people and for our constitutional rights and freedoms.

They need 60 votes to go forward with this bad bill and I don't think they will be successful. However, we still need your help. Please continue to contact your elected officials and let your voice be heard.



Senate contact info:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[Cocoa]

1. kick

:bounce:

[Cocoa]

2. senate nears showdown on Patriot Act

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyID=2005-12-15T221329Z_01_SIB572032_RTRUKOC_0_US-SECURITY-PATRIOT.xml&archived=False

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - On the eve of a high-stakes showdown, U.S. Senate Republican leader Bill Frist said on Thursday he expects to overcome a bipartisan roadblock and pass a White House-backed bill to renew the anti-terror USA Patriot Act.

But with both sides scrambling for votes, foes held out hope they could stop the measure. Some insisted they would have the votes to block it, and require new safeguards for civil liberties in President George W. Bush's war on terrorism.

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada, expressing the assessment of many, predicted a "very, very close" vote on Friday on the legislation that would extend or make permanent 17 provisions that are set to expire on December 31.

"It is no better than even money either way," Reid said when asked about prospects.

more...

[Dinger]

3. Any Dems That Vote With Cat-Killer On This Are Done

Fuck 'em

[Cocoa]

4. tell them

contact Feingold to thank him, and contact Kohl to tell him to get with the program! :bounce:

[Dinger]

5. Done! K & N