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Advocacy Blog
Thursday, October 18, 2007
RESTORE Act Departs From House Floor
Yesterday House Democratic leaders stopped floor action on HR 3773, the RESTORE Act, postponing a vote after a threatened Republican "motion-to-recommit" that could have destroyed the bill's chances. The motion would have taken the bill off the floor and sent it back to committee for an amendment ensuring the measure would not prohibit any form of surveillance of Osama bin Laden, al Qaeda or any other designated terrorist organization. They plan to put off further action on the bill until next week.
This blog described the events perfectly; "House Republicans ran procedural circles around the majority party, who was forced to remove their FISA reform bill from the House calendar. The House hoped to move in time to send a message to the Senate."
Meanwhile, today the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is holding a closed hearing to mark up its version of a bill to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Reportedly, the Senate version has a provision granting legal immunity for telephone carriers. According to the Washington Post; "Senate Democrats successfully pressed for a requirement that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court review the government's procedures for deciding who is to be the subject of warrantless surveillance. They also insisted that the legislation be renewed in six years." With support of the White House, the Senate bill also does not include "basket" warrants, which would allow the FISA court to issue a single order that could include a large number of targets. We will provide more information on what is included in the Senate's bill once it is made public and reported out of committee.
Update:Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) has placed a hold on the Senate FISA bill.
Posted by Amanda Adams
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