Beating Back This Bill

by Matt Stoller, Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:45:47 AM EDT

There are two debates going on, one internal and one in public.  In public, the Democrats are rolling over, hence the anger at moral scolds like Obama.  In private, it looks like the Democrats are not rolling over on this.  They are furious about this compromise, which eviscerates Habeas Corpus.  Here's video of Ike Skelton, the ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee.  Skelton is objecting to this bill, though a few days ago Skelton was saying "I will need to look at the final bill carefully, but elements of the compromise I have seen are promising." He's angry that the Democratic amendments were turned down.

The Senate is where this bill can be stopped.  The key Senators to move are the Maine Republican Senators, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins.  If we can shift them, we can stop this bill from being passed.

Susan Collins
461 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2523
Fax: (202) 224-2693

Olympia Snowe
154 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5344
Toll Free: (800) 432-1599
Fax: (202) 224-1946

Tags: geneva convention, Guantanamo, Habeas Corpus, Harry Reid, HR 6054, HR 6061, Military Commissions Act, Olympia Snowe, S 3901, Secure Fence Act, Susan Collins, Unlawful Combatants (all tags)

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20 Comments

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Beating Back This Bill

What's our time frame?

by msuskind 2006-09-27 10:55AM | 0 recs
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Re: Beating Back This Bill

Someone gimme talking points before I call? (I live in Maine.) I know what I -feel-, but I'm bit inarticulate about the specifics.

by BingoL 2006-09-27 10:57AM | 0 recs
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Re: Beating Back This Bill

They don't need a long explanation. The people who answered the calls didn't even ask where I was calling from. Just say you are opposed to the so-called compromise on torture that would effectively end habeas corpus, and they'll know what you mean, and hopefully mark it off on their tally. That's all you need to do, no long speeches.

by scottmaui 2006-09-27 11:12AM | 0 recs
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Re: Beating Back This Bill

Thanks. Called. I suppose I'm nervous because I called about Alito, and the staffer started arguing with me!

He said: "Isn't it the job of a Senator to see that these issues come to a full vote?"

I said: "It's the job of a Senator to represent her constituents, and to do right by her country."

The only occassion in my life I said the right thing at the right time.

by BingoL 2006-09-27 11:26AM | 0 recs
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Good for you!

by DanM 2006-09-27 11:40AM | 0 recs
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I followed your directions, it was quick and easy.

by sozzy 2006-09-27 12:10PM | 0 recs
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oh, but for those who do live in Maine, make a point to  tell them that you live in Maine, since they don't seem to be asking, as it may make a difference with how much weight they give to your opinion.

by scottmaui 2006-09-27 11:13AM | 0 recs
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Snowe's 800 number doesn't seem to work

maybe it only works from Maine?

by scottmaui 2006-09-27 10:58AM | 0 recs
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Try: (207) 874-0883

by BingoL 2006-09-27 11:00AM | 0 recs
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I hope this is true - and it has been the big question mark, is whether Democratic senators are against this, and have some rear guard action plan against voting for this.

Also, as a matter of content, this bill is SO obviously timed for political advantage, so obviously being rushed.

I mean, how can you RUSH a bill limiting various RIGHTS that are written into the Constitution?  Isn't that simply disgusting?  Even if you come to a sober, clear understanding that it is necessary - why the rush?  As Atrios points out, even the Bush enabler Hiatt gets this.

I don't understand how the "moderate" Republicans like McCain and Graham, can go forward with this deal.

Especially Graham.  Last week, he was SO convincing in that interview.  Didn't he say something like "the nation can live without me as a Senator - the nation cannot live if we do not defend the rights enshrined in the Constitution." (that is, of course, NOT an accurate quote.)

He seemed like he really believed it.  

What the hell happens to these guys, who beats on them, that they can so clearly enunciate principles that make ALL Americans swell with pride - and then less than 3 days later betray everything that they just said?

by jc 2006-09-27 11:01AM | 0 recs
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Wow- Skelton

Skelton is a Dem Dinosaur and usually not on the right page... that's pretty incredible he's championing this.

by jgkojak 2006-09-27 11:17AM | 0 recs
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Ike Skelton

Ike Skelton invariably tries do do what he thinks is right. Those who know him can tell from the video that he ain't a happy camper. He does not like what the republicans are doing (on a variety of subjects).

A lot of people in the military (including flag officers) respect him and his expertise. Though he doesn't speak of it, he has two sons serving in the military on active duty.

Note that he's the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee. Think what happens if the House turns over. He becomes the Chair. He has said this in public (I heard it) - the first thing he'll do as Chair is reconstitute an oversight subcommittee. Those will be mighty interesting hearings, don't you think?

by Michael Bersin 2006-09-27 11:52AM | 0 recs
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Senate action today!

As I wrote yesterday, Frist's wheeze is tack the detainee bill onto the Mexican fence bill.

According to the latest Daily Digest, this morning,

After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 1 hour), Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 6061, Secure Fence Act, with 1 hour of debate, to be followed by a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Frist Amendment No. 5036.

That's the amendment incorporating (some version of) the detainee bill.

The Senate convened at 9.30 - but there's no sign yet of the cloture vote on 5036.

Since Frist moved cloture on S 6061 itself at the same time as cloture on the amendment, I'm thinking that the bill could pass the Senate today - if Dems give it a fair wind.

If some ornery SOB decides to throw a bomb or two - not so much.

PS - Matt: when you say If we can shift them, we can stop this bill from being passed, does that mean you've got a decently reliable whip count.

Because Durbin is quoted (in my yesterday's piece) as not having done one.

And he's the Minority Whip.

Funny old game...

by skeptic06 2006-09-27 11:26AM | 0 recs
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Couldn't a Dem in the Senate use a secret hold to stop this thing until (at least) after the election?

I know everyone was agitated about secret holds recently.  But if these holds are allowed by Senate rules, shouldn' the Dems use them to their advantage?  

by Bored George 2006-09-27 11:54AM | 0 recs
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45+2 (Snowe and Collins)=47, that's not 51 for a majority, are we shooting for a defeat or a filibuster here.  Also, being from Oregon should I be calling Wyden or Smith, I was thinking Smith but if we're talking filibuster then it will be more important to ensure Democratic unity (though Wyden is farely reliable).

by cwech 2006-09-27 12:39PM | 0 recs
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What about Specter?  Since he was making noise about amending to restore Habeas Corpus?  Has he folded yet/already as usual?

-- Stu

by sdf 2006-09-27 12:47PM | 0 recs
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Specter just read the Habeas Corpus clause and said, paraphrasing, "we have neither a rebellion or an invasion, so I don't see where Congress has the power to revoke the writ based on this plain language."

And now he's asking someone to make the argument.

by Stealth 2006-09-27 01:11PM | 0 recs
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Senator Collins's office is asking for name and address.

by ssm33 2006-09-27 12:54PM | 0 recs
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Leave a message on her machine

You can leave a message on her machine like I did after 5pm:

"This bill gives the President the right to torture anyone, to lock anyone up for life -- you, your mother, your son, any one of us. All he has to do is decide we're "working against the United States," and we have no more rights. No right to an attorney, no right to be heard in court. The President doesn't even have to bring charges. He can just secretly send you or me to Guantanamo, order us to be tortured, put us in a prison cell for the rest of our lives.

"This bill goes against everything this country stands for. It goes against everything we fought for in the Revolution.

"This isn't about fighting terror. This is about taking away your rights. This is about turning the President into an absolute dictator."

from
http://www.reclusiveleftist.com/?p=395

by nonwhiteperson 2006-09-27 02:49PM | 0 recs
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open politics

"we have a secret plan to oppose torture"

just not in "public".

well, I'm a citizen (aka outsider) so their private talk will have to be their business.

I'm going by what's visible.

If Democrats every decide it's good to live in the light, they are welcome to come up to the surface and explain themselves.

I'll listen to the bastards.

by pyrrho 2006-09-27 05:10PM | 0 recs

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