FISA Bill Passes without Immunity

So, the House finally grew a pair and called Dubya's bluff (though I don't believe it's a bluff) and voted not to grant immunity to the telecom giants:


From The Gavel:

The House has just passed the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3773, to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence, and for other purposes, by a vote of 213-197-1. The revised House legislation to amend FISA grants new authorities for conducting electronic surveillance against foreign targets while preserving the requirement that the government obtain an individualized FISA court order, based on probable cause, when targeting Americans at home or abroad. The House bill also strongly enhances oversight of the Administration’s surveillance activities. Finally, the House bill does not provide retroactive immunity for telecom companies but allows the courts to determine whether lawsuits should proceed.

So, if Chimpy vetoes this one he is truly with the terrorists and not for protecting the American people. Now pop some corn and be prepared for a hissy from the petulant putz.

It's time to celebrate; I'll have a dry gin martini, shaken, not stirred, up with olives, thanks.

And so it goes.
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