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Too clever by half, the House GOP leadership allowed only 40 minutes of debate on the extension of the PATRIOT Act today, and brought the bill up for a vote under a rule allowing no amendments and requiring two-thirds of the body to vote YES.
Well, that didn’t happen. Apparently, the Tea Party Congresscritters discovered their love for the constitution, Amendments One and Four inclusive, while taking the opportunity to stand up to their leadership’s lackadaisical attitude toward the Act’s extension.
The House measure, which was sponsored by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and required a two-thirds majority for passage, failed on a 277-to-148 vote. Twenty-six Republicans voted with 122 Democrats to oppose the measure, while 67 Democrats voted with 210 Republicans to back it. Ten members did not vote.
The measure would have extended three key provisions of the Patriot Act that are set to expire on Monday, Feb. 28, unless Congress moves to reauthorize them. One of the provisions authorizes the FBI to continue using roving wiretaps on surveillance targets; the second allows the government to access “any tangible items,” such as library records, in the course of surveillance; and the third is a “lone wolf” provision of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorist Prevention Act that allows for the surveillance of targets who are not connected to an identified terrorist group.
Apparently, the Civil Liberties caucus in Congress has now wrapped itself around the left-right dichotomy so beloved by our Watchdog Media, and foiled House leadership’s attempt to pass the bill. Whether Dennis Kucinich’s dare factored into the Tea Partiers’ vote is unknown:
Ohio Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich, who voted against the measure in 2001, released a statement Monday calling Tuesday’s House vote “the tea party’s first test.”
“The 112th Congress began with a historic reading of the U.S. Constitution,” Kucinich said. “Will anyone subscribe to the First and Fourth Amendments tomorrow when the PATRIOT Act is up for a vote? I am hopeful that members of the Tea Party who came to Congress to defend the Constitution will join me in challenging the reauthorization.”
And join him they certainly did.
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Steny Hoyer gleefully calls this “another rough day for the House majority.”
more at http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=4DC2CAE0-CD20-48C5-A1D8-3791B86F49A9
Wo0t! This is great. Of course, they will eventually pass the extension and possibly even make it worse, but for a day or two, we get to celebrate civil liberites…
Can’t.Stop.Laughing!
this is good news1
Dammit, where’s Russ?
Just goes to show, it may be better to vote for republicans rather than democrats. Remember this vote for those that tell you, you have to vote for dems cuz the pubs are worse. Depends on who they are
where can we get roll call, I want to call my critter? also I want to thank Dennis.
Kudos to Kucinich
Yo – i’m using a netbook wth chiklet keyboard … URL to vote PLEASE
Roll call is up on Thomas:
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll026.xml
I wonder how many at the Great Orange Ostritch Haven will be cheering this while at the same time denouncing the evils of “Jane Hamsher and her Firebaggers…”
… and wouldn’t “Jane Hamsher and the Firebaggers” be a great name for a band? :)
LOL
Twenty-six Republicans voted with 122 Democrats to oppose the measure, while 67 Democrats voted with 210 Republicans
How very bipartisan.
When Obama has lost in the past he has immediately swung towards the winners. Think it’ll happen again with this vote?
Whaddaya know? The ‘baggers are useful for something after all. Still scary that a large majority voted to extend that abominable p.o.s.
fuck adam smith — teh state of washington has got a REAL problem with chickenshit phony ass Democrats shitting their diapers about lying repukes.
Well look at that. The teascrotes make an un-educated guess and it turns out right. So what, they had a 50/50 chance. Right out of the gate they get it right. Good one Goobers.
No doubt Oilbama and the establishment party members will be up in arms about how this threatens the very fabric of our democracy…
Looks as if the baggers are flexing their muscles. Hope they stick with this.
From Thom Hartmann today:
“Common ground between Progressives and the Tea Party?
Republicans in the House are expected to quietly pass legislation today to extend some of the most controversial provisions of the PATRIOT Act through the end of the year. Those provisions include allowing investigators to look at an individual’s library records, to wiretap their phone, and to conduct surveillance on them. The White House – and Democratic and Republican leadership in Congress are trying to figure out a way to extend these provisions through the end of 2013 – but for those of us who are uncomfortable with the clear overreaches of power and destruction of civil liberties – we just may have a new ally to derail long-term extensions…the Tea Party.
Many new Republican Members of Congress have signaled they will be not support permanent extension of the PATRIOT Act – citing what they call intrusion from big government. And they’re right – the PATRIOT Act is an instrument of control created by Neo-Conservatives in the wake of September 11th. In the last two years – there’s been a lot of talk about government tyranny – mostly in regard to healthcare and taxes. But there’s been little talk about ACTUAL tyranny – the PATRIOT Act.
When it comes to taking on our military-industrial-security complex – it looks like common ground between progressives and the Tea Party may be found after all.”
So, maybe they weren’t all that into it after all.
But yeah, Margaret, Oilbomber will be VERY displeased!!!!!!
Brace yourselves for Obama pulling every string he has to reverse it.
As the puppet in chief, I don’t think he has many strings to pull.
Heh! Dennis has his moments, does he not? I bet Ron Paul also voted no. It’s not the first time, nor will it be the last, where a democratic socialist in all but name and a true libertarian find common ground.
The real story is the 67 Democrats, including most of the leadership, who voted FOR the continued violation of our civil liberties. They show their true colors as members of one faction of the ruling Corporato-Fascist Party.
As for the Teabaggers, kudos to them on this one. Give credit where credit is due. There may be hope for this country yet.
Watch it happen
Well, Ron Paul DID vote no. So did Nancy Pelosi. But not Hoyer, not a lot of the Democratic Party leadership. I also see my congresscritter Marcia Fudge voted no. She has a habit of surprising me; every time I become convinced she’s just another Obamabot puppet, she votes the right way. Oh, well.
This will pass, of course. Now they just have to debate it on the record. And Obama himself will do nothing to reduce executive power, him being the executive.
And I vote for Michele Bachmann to be declared “CINO” – she named herself chair of the Tea Party caucus and then couldn’t whip these kids into line. She voted ‘for’ and failed to bring ‘her’ people with her. I guess that makes her “Chairwoman in name only”…
Thank you.
Thanks for that. Both my old rep and my current rep voted against it. I can’t take full credit of course but I like to think that I’ve had a little influence.
Hoyer is a self serving douchebag.
That’s pretty weird, actually. Clearly she was doing leadership’s bidding with her vote, but was unable to bring many of her caucus around.
And Nancy Pelosi’s vote is also startling — I wonder if she’s feeling any heat from her constituents? hahahahaha
Maybe a good thing to put on a tea shirt would be:
“PROUD FIREBAGGER
firedoglake.com”
Where IS Jane anyways?
Probably not. He can get real nasty on behalf of the overlords
The “Spelunker-in-Chief” would have like the bill extended until 2013. Another one of his lies exposed. From the WaPo article:
“The Patriot Act has long been an issue that has not divided neatly along party lines. Former Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold was the only senator to originally vote against the measure in 2001 and was among the law’s most outspoken opponents. But as portions of the law have come up for reauthorization over the years, its opponents have often included both Republican and Democratic members.
The White House on Tuesday said in a statement that it “does not object” to extending the three Patriot Act provisions until December 2011 although it “would strongly prefer” an extension until December 2013, noting that the longer timeline “provides the necessary certainty and predictability” that law enforcement agencies require while at the same time ensuring congressional oversight by maintaining a sunset.”
Goddammit, why can’t this little rebellion continue? And fucking prevail?
Egypt, bitchez! Breathe it!
Maybe they can bring Suleiman in, after he gets kicked out Cairo, to get those politicians voting the way they should have according to the WH and the warmongeres.
Every time Congress gets out of line Obama goes around them in some kind of really extra constitutional committee…the Gang of six, the deficit commission. back room deals to extend the tax cuts, etc. He’ll do it this time too
aaaaahhhhhhhooooOOOOOOO! Go girl!
My DINO rep (Joe Donnelly) voted yes. Scum!
like it sez underneath D. Kucinich’s picture
D-OH
Doh !
I’m impressed. A few Republicans were actually able to defeat the POS when Democrat turncoats were supporting it. And I should vote Democrat?
“The White House on Tuesday said …[snip]… it “would strongly prefer” an extension until December 2013, noting that the longer timeline “provides the necessary certainty and predictability” that law enforcement agencies require…”
Right. What really freaks out the WH is having to push for a renewal in the midst of a Presidential campaign. Duplicitous deceitful hacks.
Thanks for the analysis. I chanced upon the last twenty minutes of the debate. Sheila Jackson Lee had a copy of the constitution in her hand, and Ron Paul took the floor. John Coyers, Jr. chortling as debate leader. And Dennis, ‘good a time as any’ Kucinich wrapped it up.
On a related note Jane Harman is showing that she wasn’t hired by that think tank for her brains:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2011/02/jane-harman-says-patriot-act-e.html
Great fo the tea party crew. And I’ll even send nice notes to my Sen, Paul, if he follows through and votes against.
Poor Barry. First Wikileaks make him and Hills look like tools. Then his ship looks rudderless with his inept handling of the Egypt situation. And now this. Can’t a plutocrat catch a break in this country anymore???
hehe.
How sad to read down to the end of the article and see Leahy (and DiFi) panicking that none of the three extensions will get approved
Leahy a Bush lackey now – how freakin sad is that.
When in 2007, Leahy gave Gonzales what-for about Canadian Maher Arar and then dropped it like a hot rock, something was up. I was so looking forward to the follow-up.
Gee, after her stunning, in-depth analysis of the Egyptian situation, I wonder what Queen Sarah has to say..
Not too shabby for “ignorant” “Scary Gun Loving Racist” “Frothing lunatics” who “have NO idea they’ve been used like toilet tissue” and “can barely spell monosyllabic words,” huh?
Woo hoo!
That great supporter of the Constitution Michelle Bachman voted for it…Just goes to show she is even sillier than most of us thought she was.
Wait a minute: that idiot Hoyer voted FOR the bill, and he’s crowing about how it FAILED????
And shame on you, Chris Van Hollen. You should know better AND you’re not from a crazy district. What’s wrong with you?
Also: who are the 67 Dems [other than Van Hollen & Hoyer] who voted “yes” on this dreadful piece of crap?
Sadly, as was said and then documented up above, the extensions will be revised, likely made WORSE at least in terms of length extended, and will pass House and Senate rather easily.
But it is a good day or two to gloat about the absolute fucking chaos of the GOP regarding this story today.
*G*
The GOP will whip the Tea Party no votes into shape by the next time this comes up, but there will come a time when those with spines (unlike Dems with no spines) stand up against Cantor and Boehner. It will be fun to watch the chaos. Meanwhile, who could vote for (basically unlimited) warrantless spying on any of us, then look us in the face and ask for our votes.
Imagine Secretary of State Sarah if or when Jeb Bush and Condie Rice win.
“The Obama administration said Tuesday it wants a three-year extension of Patriot Act surveillance authorities, far longer than the timeline proposed by House Republicans.”
Obama
Democracy and the rule of law is a lot of common ground. Thanks Tea Party.
Right on. These same good folks had no problem shredding the Constitution and making a sharp turn to fascism. In the not too distant future everyone with a B.A. in history will write a book about the Obama era carpetbaggers. Let me save them the trouble: greed, greed, and more greed. And, a President who makes Bush 43 appear to be a man of principles. LOL!
So, the Tea Partiers helped defeat legislation that liberals hate. (While at the same time, liberals are betrayed again by Blue Dogs.) If I recall correctly, that would be Sarah Palin’s party. I wonder if I’m going to see anyone giving any credit to Sarah Palin for this. Nah, I’m sure somehow pundits will find a way to bring her into the issue in a mocking way. In general, are we going to see any liberals say anything good about the Tea Party? Like maybe supporting the constitution is not a comical position to be roundly ridiculed?
Perhaps we may see some serious thoughts about how we could take advantage in the future of the Tea Party, where the left and right have some overlap. No, that would require viewing a group of rightwingers as something other than buffoons. Strategy? Hah, not on the left.
But that’s just because we now have a “Democratic” administration. If Republicans were in charge, it would be a different story… “take away all of the civil liberties you can!”
Such a shocking parody of what congress is supposed to be… an entity that delights in taking away our civil liberties, refuses to prosecute torturers and other war criminals, while waging war against the middle and working classes, not to mention the poor.
Predictably, those that are for passage of the Patriot act’s provision extensions will use fear and scream the sky is falling and that the loathsome act is necessary.They will shriek that our democracy is under attack if it doesn’t pass.
Funny how these same individuals don’t see that the unlimited amounts of corporate money flowing into our election process is a bigger “threat” to our democracy than the acts of any terrorist organization.
Kudos to Kucinich.
The celebration will probably be brief. President Puppet Pantywaist will now attempt a full court press to see that the loathsome act is revived from the dead. His approach and that of Bush are nearly indistinguishable.
I do not think that anyone on the right should be crowing about “strategy”, considering that they CREATED many of the problems that we are now faced with having to solve. Best defense would have been not to have created the mess in the first place.
As far as the Tundra Tart, Palin, is concerned, she doesn’t own the “Tea Party”, which is not a party at all, since all run with an (R) behind their names. They are merely a faction of the Republican party. Credit for the defeat of some of the provisions should be reserved for those who voted against this loathsome piece of legislation, not Sarah Palin.
Sarah Palin has proven time and time again that she has only one pet cause this or any other year, and that cause is Sarah Palin.
And to think we have the nerve to lecture other country’s records on human rights and democracy. What a complete sham of a country we have become. Our rhetoric bears no resemblance to our country’s reality. We are a wholly owned subsidiary of the corporate elites and bankers, along with the MIC.
All of the flowery rhetoric in the world cannot cover up this fact. If the U.S. is the standard bearer for democracy, then the concept of democracy is completely dead.
I agree. I also agree with you that our celebratory mood will likely be brief.
Sillier? Oh, no, not sillier. She is demented. Completely demented. Irretrievably demented.
Even the village idiot occasionally gets a question or two correct. That doesn’t change the fact that they are still the village idiot.
One vote doesn’t constitute sanity or a trend.
It’s best not to wonder about the mental workings of the deranged. Could give you a splitting headache.
Whatever Palin’s response is, it will be full of her usual cognitive dissonance.
Indeed. Whether it is the “war on drugs” or any other fear created “pseudo wars”, the Republicans have been the biggest usurpers of the people’s rights of any party, despite their pleas about “big government”. But neither side has a ‘great’ record on this.
I just called Susan Davis (CA53) office to convey my abject disgust with he vote. Why is it, I’m not surprised really.
I have been saying in these forums for months now: The Tea Party is NOT your enemy. If the Progressive Movement wants to be more than a bunch of people in a forum complaining, they might want to stop with the insults and learn something from a group that really is making their voice heard.
You may differ with them on policy details (LOTS of policy details) or the quality of some of their candidates, but they are taking their responsibility to govern seriously. They said they were all about the Constitution and in this case a disproportionate number of them lived up to it.
Good line by Kucinich, BTW; I still can’t believe he sold out on Obamacare.
I’m surprised anyone “met Kucinich halfway”. Had it been Obama negotiating with Kucinich, I think Kucinich would have capitulated completely in exchange for a ride on Air Force One.
Kucinich lost me when he endorsed the health insurance industry bailout.