ACLU Push and Democrats Plan To Block NSA Legislation

Posted on November 14, 2006

The ACLU, still fighting the NSA program in court, calls upon Congress to block legislation for the NSA program.

In Washington, the ACLU is urging Congress to live up to its constitutional responsibility to provide checks and balances to the executive and judicial branches, de-fund the illegal spying program and undertake a thorough investigation into the NSA warrantless eavesdropping. Between its return on November 13 and its adjournment, the 109th Congress may vote on key issues such as a potential $15 billion give-away to telephone companies which would immunize companies from any liability for participating in the NSA spying program. President Bush has also made clear his intention to push through legislation legitimizing the illegal NSA spying program during the “lame-duck” Congressional session.

The ACLU doesn’t have much to worry about with the “lame-duck Congress. It looks like Democrats have every intention of blocking the NSA legisilation.

Far Left Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) writes today at the Huffington Post that democrats will go ahead and block terrorist surveillance methods:

There are a lot of bad bills that the Republicans may try to ram through, but here’s the worst of the worst - a bill to legalize the President’s warrantless wiretapping program. The White House is desperate to enact this bill, which allows the government to spy on American citizens, on American soil, without a warrant.

If we want to show people that we have what it takes to govern, we need to start proving ourselves right now, from day one.

Proving ourselves means standing up for Democratic values, and stopping the worn-out Republican agenda that Americans just rejected at the polls.

After the gains we made on November 7, it would be easy to just relax and bask in the victory - but it would also be a big mistake. The lame duck is the Republicans’ last chance to pass bills on the White House’s wish list, and we shouldn’t let them get away with it. It is the Democrats’ turn to lead Congress, and we can start strong by rejecting the Republicans’ last ditch efforts in the lame duck session.

Looks like the ACLU’s mandate in the election is coming to bear fruit. Soon, the terrorist out to kill us will be granted all kinds of rights. Its all a part of America’s “new direction”. Might as well kiss the current NSA program goodbye. It won’t be long before we are saying hello to cries for impeachment.

» Filed Under ACLU, News, War On Terror

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2 Responses to “ACLU Push and Democrats Plan To Block NSA Legislation”

Jeff Molby on November 14th, 2006 8:22 pm

Without getting into a discussion on the merits of the program, I ABHOR the idea of passing legislation “to legitimize” an existing program.

If the program is legal as the administration contends, then they should go ahead and prove it in the courts.

If it is not legal, those responsibility for its existence should pay the price for creating an illegal program.

This is true regardless of the merits of the program. If there is any doubt as to legality of an action, it is best to avoid said action. This is true for everyone in this country.

Neither I, nor the administration can pursue questionable interpretations of the law without assuming the risks of being wrong.
kerwin_brown on November 15th, 2006 1:48 am

If the NSA wiretap bill can not get through this lame duck Congress then there are also Republicans that are blocking it and it will be a dead issue as soon as the new Congress comes into power.

“In Washington, the ACLU is urging Congress to live up to its constitutional responsibility to provide checks and balances to the executive and judicial branches,”

I am not sure whom you are quoting but I smirked when I read this. I find it hard to believe the ACLU wants Congress to regulate the “independent” judiciary they normally prize so much.