Dodd's Statement on FISA

Chris Dodd today called on all those Senators who joined him in his objection to the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which included retroactive immunity, to join him on the floor of the Senate on Monday. Senator Dodd will be leading the fight to stand up against a bill which provides that immunity to the companies which participated with the Bush Administration in abusing millions of Americans' civil liberties.

"Last fall the American people gave this Congress a mandate to change the direction of the country and restore America's security by ending the war and restoring our Constitution and standing in the world. Unfortunately, time and time again, Congress has been unable to fulfill that mandate. But our country can no longer afford to continue down that road; we need to restore the Constitution, protect our civil liberties and ensure that no one is above the law. It's time for us to stand up and lead; not just say 'enough is enough, but act on it."

Senator Dodd will leave the campaign trail in Iowa to return to Washington on Monday to speak on the floor before the vote to invoke cloture on the FISA bill takes place. Sen. Dodd is prepared to offer an amendment which strips the retroactive immunity provision from the underlying bill, and will seek a vote on that measure next week.

Senator Dodd was the first Presidential candidate to speak out against the FISA legislation that was passed out of the Intelligence Committee, announcing that he would place a hold on any bill that reached the floor including retroactive immunity, and would filibuster that bill if his hold was not respected. Sen. Dodd began urging Senators on the Judiciary Committee, who would have the chance to consider the measure as well, to oppose the immunity provision. The Judiciary Committee later passed out a bill without the retroactive immunity. Unfortunately, that bill is not the one considered on the Senate floor.

Take action at http://chrisdodd.com/filibuster.

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