January 28, 2008 1:13 PM

Lack of Collegiality Having An Impact in FISA Debate

Updated and bumped

Last week I argued that the Senate Republicans had gone too far in their obstructionism on FISA, to the point that they were alienating their Democratic allies who have joined them on the wrong side of retroactive immunity and warrantless wiretapping. In effect, the GOP went beyond the pale and offended senators who want to work on contentious issues while maintaining a high level of collegiality.

That dynamic is playing out right now on the floor of the Senate. Jay Rockefeller, author of the retroactive immunity-granting Intel bill, is arguing against the GOP obstructionism and against cloture on his own bill because the Republicans have taken it hostage as part of a political ploy.

Rockefeller has said he will vote against cloture on the Intel bill, a very good sign that we will be able to defeat this afternoon's cloture vote on it. He has also said he will vote for a 30 day extension to the PAA to continue fruitful discussion of renewal legislation.

Update:
More evidence that we'll win the Intel cloture vote: Even Arlen Specter, Republican from Pennsylvania and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, will vote against cloture.

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Matt Browner Hamlin helped lead the fight against telecom immunity as part of Senator Chris Dodd's presidential campaign. He has joined the CREDO Mobile team to stop the Bush administration's illegal wiretapping program and hold the telecom companies accountable for their lawbreaking.