Michelle Malkin » FISA on the floor; housing boondoggle on hold; DeMint puts heat on Reid; Update: FISA moves forward, 80-15

FISA on the floor; housing boondoggle on hold; DeMint puts heat on Reid; Update: FISA moves forward, 80-15

By Michelle Malkin • June 25, 2008 04:40 PM

Scroll for updates…

I’m keeping an eye on the FISA debate that has been unfolding on the Senate floor. Sen. Orrin Hatch gave a spirited statement taking on the unreality-based FISA reform opponents who “sit in their basements wearing tinfoil hats and who believe 9/11 was an inside job.”

Zing.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller is now reviewing the compromise provisions and, believe it or not, he’s praising Harry Reid for putting national security first–even though Reid opposes the compromise.

The nutroots are seething about those who have flipped and will vote for the FISA compromise.

4:40pm. Standing by for the vote…

4:45pm. Chris Dodd is on the floor whinging about his mortgage boondoggle bill. Mum’s the word on his special “Friend of Mozilo” home loan.

4:55pm Eastern. Dodd finally finished whinging. He needs unanimous consent to proceed with a final vote on the housing bill, but there is one dissenting, maverick Senator holding it up. Bravo, Sen. Jim DeMint. Received this info from his office this afternoon:

In case you missed earlier news, Reid has threatened to delay votes on FISA and War funding until he conservatives agree to let him rush through the lender bailout. Senator DeMint has no intention of allowing Reid to cut debate short on a housing bill that we keep learning more disturbing news about every day (sweetheart deals for senators, bank lobbyists write the bill, fingerprint database of realtors and bank employees, IRS collection of credit card transaction info). As DeMint told reporters just a few minutes ago: “Harry Reid has been holding our national security hostage to force through his liberal agenda.”

eMint Sets Sights on Housing Bill
June 25, 2008, 3:13 p.m.
By Tim Taylor
Roll Call Staff

As the negotiators on the housing bill scramble to deal with what amendments to include in the massive legislation, another battle is brewing that may delay the housing measure altogether.

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) said Wednesday that he believes that the Senate must take its time with the housing bill, perhaps delaying a vote until after the break.

“There are too many questions out there. … I think it would beneficial that we take a fresh look at it after the break,” DeMint said.

DeMint emphasized that he is not “holding up the bill,” but since the White House has taken a hard line against it, he believes that it might as well go through all the procedural hoops before a final tally is taken.

Specifically, DeMint is threatening to force the Senate to jump all of the regular procedural hoops, including the 30 hours of debate typically allotted a bill, that lawmakers usually waive in order to more efficiently consider legislation.

The South Carolina Republican said he wants to “make sure that we have the full debate time on every aspect of this. I don’t think we need to pass it this week before the break, so I don’t intend to allow unanimous consents to shorten the debate time on this bill.”

If DeMint follows through with his threat, the housing bill would not hit the floor until later this week, forcing vote during the weekend or delaying one until after the recess.

DeMint said it would probably be “Saturday or Sunday” if Reid wants to make the Senate jump through all the procedural tangles to pass the measure, which enjoys the broad bipartisan support of more than 80 Members.

For the past week, many GOP Senators have questioned the financial benefit that mortgage house Countrywide would receive in the bill, particularly on the heels of controversy surrounding favorable mortgages received from the lender by Sens. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), the housing bill’s chief sponsor, and Kent Conrad (D-N.D.).

DeMint has threatened to block the bill for some weeks now, arguing that Senators do not fully understand the benefits provided to such financial institutions as Countrywide.

***

Update: Here’s the roll call vote on the cloture motion for the FISA bill, which advances to a final vote tomorrow. Vote was 80-15.

Posted in: FISA, Subprime crisis

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#1

On June 25th, 2008 at 4:44 pm, William Amos said:

Proof that the democratic base is far loonier than even their “heroes”
#2

On June 25th, 2008 at 4:44 pm, GaMidnightRider said:

I hope it passes. If you are not doing an thing illegal then there is nothing to worry about. It is the ones doing illegal things that do not want it and make excuses to not pass it.
#3

On June 25th, 2008 at 4:44 pm, William Amos said:

BTW I read that the housing bailout bill hit a snag thought Id throw that in here.
#4

On June 25th, 2008 at 4:46 pm, jtex said:

Sen. Reid putting national security first???
You’ve gotta be kidding. That old fool doesn’t even know what day of the week it is.
If we depend on the likes of Sen. Reid and Rockefeller for our national security, we’re in deep doo doo.

.
#5

On June 25th, 2008 at 4:47 pm, Christian Soldier said:

#3 WA I hope it’s a good “snag” for our side!

Thanks for the heads -up..
#6

On June 25th, 2008 at 4:48 pm, jtex said:

Sen. Dodd is on the floor?

What the hell is he doing, asking for another low interest loan?

Man’s cahones must be made of brass..

.
#7

On June 25th, 2008 at 4:56 pm, William Amos said:

This is article I spotted

Housing rescue stalls in Senate
The Associated Press

Wed, Jun 25, 2008 (1:21 p.m.)

A foreclosure rescue plan that has broad bipartisan support stalled in the Senate on Wednesday amid a dispute over taxes.

However, leaders said they were optimistic they could pass the measure before Congress breaks for a weeklong July 4 vacation.

Democrats and many Republicans were pushing for quick approval of the bill, which would allow the government to back $300 billion in new, cheaper mortgages for debt-ridden homeowners facing foreclosure.

But negotiations to complete the measure hit a snag over a bid by Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., to add a $6 billion package of tax breaks for renewable energy producers. The incentives have bipartisan backing, but Democrats oppose including them without balancing them with tax hikes to prevent an increase in the deficit.
#8

On June 25th, 2008 at 5:00 pm, Harris said:

I know, I know, this is off-topic, but it’s so FUNNY:
http://www.americansunitedforchange.org/bushlegacy/archives/first_photos_of_the_bus/
Little Green Footballs brought this up yesterday, but I can’t post on there, so I wanted to share this beautiful work of art on Michelle’s site.

Be sure to leave comments for the admins to filter through.

Mine today was, “Terrific Idea! $300,000 worth of CO2-spewing Bush Derangement Syndrome on wheels!”

Yesterday it was,
“Feed the Children?
No.
Donate to St. Jude’s Hospital?
No.
Contribute to curing cancer?
No.
Stop global warming?
No.
Spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on an enormous fuel-guzzling contraption intended to breed hatred for a man with less than seven months left in office?
Sure, why not?
Good going, you guys should be proud.”

I love being a wiseguy.
#9

On June 25th, 2008 at 5:05 pm, Michelle Malkin said:

BTW I read that the housing bailout bill hit a snag thought Id throw that in here.

Thanks, already updated.
#10

On June 25th, 2008 at 5:16 pm, Die Hippie, Die said:

Chris Dodd is on the floor whinging

I’m not sure what whinging is. But if Dodd’s doing it on the floor, it must be alcohol-induced. Do we need to call the Senate janitor and have him mop up?
#11

On June 25th, 2008 at 5:19 pm, Goldwater Knight said:

With this new housing bill I can get an $8000 dollar tax credit if I buy another house.
#12

On June 25th, 2008 at 5:24 pm, Russ N said:

I’m thinking of writing in DeMint on the ballot in November…does he have an exploratory committee?? He should.
#13

On June 25th, 2008 at 5:24 pm, brooklyn red said:

Countrywidegate?
#14

On June 25th, 2008 at 5:32 pm, J S Ragman said:

Sen. Jay Rockefeller is now reviewing the compromise provisions and, believe it or not, he’s praising Harry Reid for putting national security first–

He went on to praise Teddy Kennedy for putting wind power ahead of his own ocean view, to praise Robert Byrd for cutting self-aggrandizing pork projects from his own state, and to praise Chuck Schumer’s support of the Second Amendment.
#15

On June 25th, 2008 at 5:42 pm, MNUSMCDavid said:

Pssst…. whinge means to complain , usually just for the sake of complaining… it’s a great Old English word… glad to see it’s use again
#16

On June 25th, 2008 at 5:46 pm, John Ansell said:

J S Ragman #14, ROFLMAO.
#17

On June 25th, 2008 at 5:49 pm, Fat Jolly Penguin said:

Somewhat OT: I just sent the following letter to Jim Matheson regarding Mike Pence’s discharge petition on the Broadcasters’ Freedom Act (heard him on Hannity a bit ago).

Hello, Rep. Matheson. My name is _______; I am 17 years old, but I will turn 18 just in time to vote in the November election. I’m writing you today to request that you sign Rep. Mike Pence’s discharge petition on the Broadcasters’ Freedom Act. This is an extremely important act which will guarantee freedom of speech by banning the re-institution of the Fairness Doctrine. I support freedom of speech for all Americans, but this fundamental right does not guarantee one the right to be heard, only to say as he pleases. The Fairness Doctrine attempts to force unpopular views upon the American people by mandating that equal time be given to opposing political views; on its face this may seem a noble goal, but the eventual effect will be to ruin those radio stations affected by the regulations.

To put it bluntly, conservative views have been shown by the success of the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and others, to be far more popular than liberal views, as demonstrated by the multiple failures of Air America and the continually low number of listeners to said shows. One such station in Utah is 570 KNRS, which runs shows appealing to a conservative audience almost exclusively and is quite successful; if they were forced to devote 12 hours every day to liberal programs, people would stop listening to KNRS and it would eventually fail.

If these stations do not outright fail, they will attempt to skirt the regulations by simply not running programs to which the Doctrine applies. Those shows will naturally lose listeners, and themselves will go under. Though you, Mr. Matheson, may not agree with the conservative hosts’ views all the time, you can’t help but give them credit for being a far more factual source of news than today’s mainstream media and for exposing potential threats to this country’s security, like last year’s amnesty bill which would otherwise likely have sailed past without a second thought.

When it comes right down to it, though, the Fairness Doctrine is really an attempt to silence opposition to the liberal agenda. It’s no great secret that the liberals have had a much harder time doing what they want to since talk radio came around; as I mentioned before, the Fairness Doctrine would effectively shut this opposition down, paving the way for your more liberal colleagues to establish what has become unabashed socialism. Supporting Mike Pence’s discharge petition will go a long way toward ensuring that this never happens.

Thank you for your time!

I had a bit of fun by filing it under “First Amendment.” He better listen; I’m in his district.
#18

On June 25th, 2008 at 5:52 pm, Ahh a Lion! said:

It’s laughable that Dodd is trying to stand up to the FISA bill. He stands for privacy? Yeah right, look at his mortgage bailout bill - report all credit/debit transactions to the government? National finger-print database for mortgage lenders? Who does he think he’s kidding - why not stop acting and just support more government control and intrusion on our lives.

We are so screwed, the American people are going to get both these horrible bills jammed down our throat. We can’t afford them financially or morally as a country. I’m sick of the fraudulent bickering between two parties that have the same damn goals. Soon we will have no privacy, or freedom to choose our economic destiny. Remember national security is another term for government control to these people.

By the way, Orrin Hatch is a bastard.
#19

On June 25th, 2008 at 6:01 pm, lgm said:

The nutroots are seething about those who have flipped and will vote for the FISA compromise.

Finally a true observation! Contributions to Obama are down by half because of his campaign finance flip-flop and his support for the FISA compromise. The “nutroots” just want an honest politician who will live up to his commitments and support the freedoms in the constitution (except of course the second amendment).
#20

On June 25th, 2008 at 6:04 pm, in_awe said:

How about an amendment banning the extension of mortgage loans to illegal aliens? Sharing of fingerprints with ICE and the IRS, etc.

I’m sure true conservatives in the Senate (come on, there have to be a few…) can propose such commonsense amendments that the Dems will oppose to make it politically unlikely that Dem Senators will vote Yes on the bill. And the American people can be informed why the Dems opposed it as amended.
#21

On June 25th, 2008 at 6:05 pm, ArmywifeArmymom said:

I’m keeping my eye on DeMint. I see some moxie, guts, and integrity.
#22

On June 25th, 2008 at 6:20 pm, JT said:

lgm,

I hope there comes a day when you think you need to be armed, but can’t get a gun when the criminals can.
#23

On June 25th, 2008 at 6:21 pm, uhangtight said:

These lefty loons are so afraid that they are going to lose their freedoms over the fisa. But, are more than willing to give up their freedoms for a mortgage bailout. OMG, are these people stupid? when you ask the government to help keep you secure in health, food and housing you lose your freedoms. PERIOD.
#24

On June 25th, 2008 at 6:29 pm, mattm said:

I’m so proud to have Chris Dodd as my sen.

/sarc
#25

On June 25th, 2008 at 6:32 pm, mchristian said:

lgm said: an honest politician

Dude, did your computer just blow up?
#26

On June 25th, 2008 at 6:32 pm, Goldwater Knight said:

whinge:
a cry; a complaint; to complain or protest, especially in an annoying or persistent manner.

It helps to have a dictionary around.
#27

On June 25th, 2008 at 6:37 pm, mchristian said:

FISA grants immunity to telecoms that have collected information on terror suspects. The mortgage bailout requires businesses to report all e-transactions to the government.

How is this logical?
#28

On June 25th, 2008 at 6:40 pm, terrig said:

JT, I’m with you on that one.
#29

On June 25th, 2008 at 6:47 pm, leepro said:

On June 25th, 2008 at 5:49 pm, #17 Fat Jolly Penguin said:

Somewhat OT: I just sent the following letter to Jim Matheson regarding Mike Pence’s discharge petition on the Broadcasters’ Freedom Act (heard him on Hannity a bit ago).

Good for you!!! I wish I had been that informed, that active, and that brilliant at age 17!

— Old Fart-ette

BTW, haven’t I seen you hanging around over at LGF?
#30

On June 25th, 2008 at 6:57 pm, Hangfire said:

Yo, Harris!

I went to the Bush legacy website and, wouldn’t you know, they wouldn’t post MY comment.

Comment was:

F I D I O T S !
#31

On June 25th, 2008 at 7:14 pm, right_on said:

Expressing personal outrage for the un-American, or illegal (things) our officials do, is no longer acceptable to me. It’s time for the patriots in this country to act! If this means naming names of those who profit off of legislation or lack of legislation that comes before them, so be it! When will the true conservatives in office start telling us what really is being said and done behind closed doors, and who the bad actors are? These are OUR elected EMPLOYEES, we are not theirs!

I personally don’t what to hear anymore indignancy from anyone who pretends to support American principles. I’ve had enough! Either do something about it, or just shut the hell up!!!
#32

On June 25th, 2008 at 7:39 pm, terrig said:

Okay, off topic but for a bit of frivolity some fool just paid $5700 on Ebay to be a bridesmaid in some wedding for someone they don’t even know. And the msm and dims tell us everyday how bad the economy is.
#33

On June 25th, 2008 at 7:39 pm, Jeddite said:

RED SCARE!
#34

On June 25th, 2008 at 7:44 pm, terrig said:

Thank goodness, I thought something was wrong with my laptop.
#35

On June 25th, 2008 at 7:45 pm, khan said:

Well that sucks.
#36

On June 25th, 2008 at 7:46 pm, Die Hippie, Die said:

Did Lee Harvey’s bleeding heart burst an artery?
#37

On June 25th, 2008 at 7:55 pm, lgm said:

mchristian said:

lgm said: an honest politician

Dude, did your computer just blow up?

Ouch!
#38

On June 25th, 2008 at 7:59 pm, khan said:

uhangtight said:

These lefty loons are so afraid that they are going to lose their freedoms over the fisa. But, are more than willing to give up their freedoms for a mortgage bailout. OMG, are these people stupid? when you ask the government to help keep you secure in health, food and housing you lose your freedoms. PERIOD.

I’m neither a “lefty loon” nor am I in favor of the government’s mortgage “bailout”. Guess that blows your hysterical stereotype.
#39

On June 25th, 2008 at 8:03 pm, Goldwater Knight said:

Why the hell is everthing red? Communist holiday?
#40

On June 25th, 2008 at 8:07 pm, see-dubya said:

Just call me Visine.
#41

On June 25th, 2008 at 8:16 pm, ctmom said:

thanks see-dubya. that hurt.
#42

On June 25th, 2008 at 8:40 pm, Hannibal said:

Ed McMahon issued a press release today urging Harry Reid to “get this bill passed today, right now, right this minute, whatever it takes”. “Honest, hard working Americans are waiting for mortgage relief and justice”. “Oh, and $750,000 is not near enough, I’m going to need at least two that size!”
#43

On June 25th, 2008 at 9:19 pm, scottthong said:

Hindu monkey god endorses Obama

NEW DELHI: Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama can now expect help from an unexpected quarter — Lord Hanuman.

All-India Congress Committee member Brij Mohan Bhama has organised a 11-day religious ceremony at Karol Bagh here for his success in the U.S. elections.

The idea of sending an idol of Hanuman dawned on him after friends in the United States mentioned a “prominent American politician who carried a miniature Hanuman idol in his pocket for luck,” Mr. Bhama said speaking on the first day of the ceremony on Tuesday.
#44

On June 25th, 2008 at 9:48 pm, Boomer said:

Finally, some good news from the Senate. I see both of my Senators to include the rouge “wide stance” Craig actually voted right on this one. I would love to see the housing bailout go down in flames or at least only pass without a veto proof majority. I hope President Bush has the good sense to keep his word and stamp a great big VETO on potential increase on the backs of the overburdened taxpayers.
#45

On June 25th, 2008 at 10:35 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

Just as I expected. Neither Obama nor McCain voted. Still, if the GOP senators are so against this bill, why was the total vote so lopsided? More phony posturing by the GOP?
#46

On June 25th, 2008 at 10:48 pm, right_on said:

Do you want names of fifteen people who are ruining America? You got it!

Biden (D-DE)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Dodd (D-CT)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Harkin (D-IA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)
Wyden (D-OR)

Six partisans from the East coast, three from the West coast, and four from mid-America. Of course this is only a partial list of anti-Americans on the American payroll….Security first, indeed!
#47

On June 25th, 2008 at 11:24 pm, Alphonse said:

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/06/telecom-amnesty.html

Democrats who switched from opposing to supporting legal amnesty to telecoms that aided the government’s warrantless wiretapping program received twice as much money, on average, from telcom political action groups than Democrats whose opposed the idea in March and again last Friday, according to an analysis of campaign donations by Maplight.org.
#48

On June 26th, 2008 at 12:10 am, Mark Jaquith said:

the unreality-based FISA reform opponents who “sit in their basements wearing tinfoil hats and who believe 9/11 was an inside job.”

I’m not a FISA reform opponent (nor a 9/11 conspiracy kook). I think it should absolutely be made clear that foreign-to-foreign calls that are switched within the United States can be intercepted without a warrant. But this FISA bill goes beyond that, legalizing mass warrantless wiretapping of Americans’ international communications. As someone who makes international phone calls, that makes me nervous. Furthermore, it offers immunity to companies who illegally assisted the government in tapping domestic communications without a warrant. As someone who makes domestic phone calls, that makes me nervous (they can keep on doing it and just count on the government to make their crimes vanish when they are found out).
#49

On June 26th, 2008 at 7:30 am, Die Hippie, Die said:

On June 25th, 2008 at 9:19 pm, scottthong said:
Hindu monkey god endorses Obama

Great post. I also read that article. But you’ve got to be careful. Use “monkey” and “Obama” in the same sentence and every fart-lighting troll in the TPD (Thought Police Department) will be all over you “like a monkey on a cupcake.” (Thanks, Ray Romano).

On the bright side, this may be just what’s needed to get nyk, les, TheOtherSide, Rusty, Dark Knight and mistressjustice on the first flight to Calcutta to investigate this insidious act of racism.
#50

On June 26th, 2008 at 7:40 am, Die Hippie, Die said:

On June 26th, 2008 at 12:10 am, Mark Jaquith said:
Furthermore, it offers immunity to companies who illegally assisted the government in tapping domestic communications without a warrant.

Not again. Lefties opposed telecom immunity not out of any love for privacy, but because the bill denies tort bar parasites–major fundraisers for the Dems–access to the telecoms’ pockets.

Should you ever be audited by the IRS, you’ll lose more privacy in a day than the NSA could expose in your lifetime. Ever hear the left or trial lawyers complain about IRS audits–except when they’re on thereceiving end? Nah.
#51

On June 26th, 2008 at 7:44 am, Ron said:

Re: Harris’ off-topic link to the Bush Legacy Tour Bus. That’s hilarious! I couldn’t stop myself from contributing the following:

Great job! I hope the DNC is paying the gas bill for this super bus. Have you also provided carbon offset credits? Just askin’
#52

On June 26th, 2008 at 9:27 am, NJRepublican said:

Could have guessed that my 2 Senators were in the nay column. When will the people in my State learn??? How could 2 guys that represent a State hit close to home on 9/11 not vote for security measures??? It’s not even like they have the excuse that they are from South Jersey! Menedez is from Hudson County - ACROSS THE RIVER FROM WTC!!! They need to get a clue and start caring about NJ more than the Dem party. Well, we can get the old man out this year - Go Dick Zimmer!!!
#53

On June 26th, 2008 at 9:37 am, khan said:

Statement on HR 6304, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Amendments

20 June 2008

Rep. Ron Paul, M.D.

Madam Speaker, I regret that due to the unexpected last-minute appearance of this measure on the legislative calendar this week, a prior commitment has prevented me from voting on the FISA amendments. I have strongly opposed every previous FISA overhaul attempt and I certainly would have voted against this one as well.

The main reason I oppose this latest version is that it still clearly violates the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution by allowing the federal government to engage in the bulk collection of American citizens’ communications without a search warrant. That US citizens can have their private communication intercepted by the government without a search warrant is anti-American, deeply disturbing, and completely unacceptable.

In addition to gutting the fourth amendment, this measure will deprive Americans who have had their rights violated by telecommunication companies involved in the Administration’s illegal wiretapping program the right to seek redress in the courts for the wrongs committed against them. Worse, this measure provides for retroactive immunity, whereby individuals or organizations that broke the law as it existed are granted immunity for prior illegal actions once the law has been changed. Ex post facto laws have long been considered anathema in free societies under rule of law. Our Founding Fathers recognized this, including in Article I section 9 of the Constitution that “No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.” How is this FISA bill not a variation of ex post facto? That alone should give pause to supporters of this measure.

Mr. Speaker, we should understand that decimating the protections that our Constitution provides us against the government is far more dangerous to the future of this country than whatever external threats may exist. We can protect this country without violating the Constitution and I urge my colleagues to reconsider their support for this measure.
#54

On June 26th, 2008 at 10:38 am, Ahh a Lion! said:

Thanks for the post Khan,
Although I was disappointed initially not to see Paul join the single Republican voting against FISA in the house. I’m glad he put the posted comments on record. It’s sad to see all the democrats/republicans invoke the constitution when it suits their needs. It will also be sad when Paul is proved right again, once this bill starts getting abused under the next administration.