Connecticut Local Politics

Today’s the big day. Senator Dodd will take to the Senate floor and begin his filibuster of retroactive immunity for telecoms. Dodd will start talking and won’t yield the floor until he loses a cloture vote or Senator Reid takes immunity for telecoms permanently off the table.

Dodd’s Statement on FISA:

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.

Apparently Senators Feingold and Kennedy will help Dodd out by asking “questions” which can last up to twenty minutes in length. Who else will stand with Senator Dodd on the Senate floor? Clinton, Biden, and Obama all pledged to support Dodd’s effort. Will they follow Feingold and Kennedy’s lead?

Crooks & Liars and Firedoglake are collecting comments for Dodd to read on the Senate floor. And The Seminal and Open Left have created Thank You Chris Dodd as a clearinghouse for information about the filibuster as well as actions than can be taken.

Dodd has taken a lot of heat on this blog lately, some of it deserved some not so much. But whether you support him for President or not, whether you like having him as your Senator or not, I hope you stand with Senator Dodd on FISA. Telecom companies willingly aided in spying on Americans. They need to be held accountable and only Chris Dodd has the guts to make sure that they are.