Dodd to make stand against Senate on wiretapper immunity

[kpete]

The way things stand now, observers expect 60 votes would be required to substitute the immunity-free judiciary proposal for the intelligence committee bill, a standard few believe could be reached. Debate on the bill will begin Monday, Reid said from the Senate floor Friday.

"This is one of the most bizarre procedural scenarios that I've ever dealt with," said Fredrickson, who spent nine years as a Senate staffer.

Further muddling matters, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), a dark-horse presidential candidate, announced his intention to place a "hold" on any FISA update containing immunity. Reid is apparently ignoring his request, but Dodd has vowed to filibuster the bill and says he will work to block immunity any way he can.

On Thursday, the Judiciary Committee voted down a proposal from Sen. Arlen Specter that would have allowed the 40 or so lawsuits that have been filed to go forward, but it would have made the government the defendant in those suits, not the telecoms. Specter, the committee's ranking Republican, could re-introduce his amendment when the FISA update comes to the Senate floor.

more at:
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/President_unlikely_to_see_wiretap_bill_1213.html

[MzNov]

1. Let's flood Dodd with support. n/t

[MasonJar]

2. Please the number of the Senate, 800 if possible.