After hours of constant watching C-Span and C-Span 2 during the discussions in both House & Senate concerning HR 3199 the House finally brought it to a close shortly after 1:00pm today. Congressman John Conyers, Dem. Michigan offered a Resolution to renew the current Patriot Act for three months while a better compromise could be reached. The Resolution failed.
He then pointed out that the Committee Report added:
New Drug Laws - Presidential line of succession - Expanded death penalty for several non-terrorist crimes and other additions. He offered a Motion to recommit with instructions that would have required more discussion by the committee before a vote. He again lost the vote with one major victory - every Democrat and the Independent voted yes to send it back.
After one hour of discussion the vote was taken to pass the Committee Report on HR 3199. Passage was approved and this time 45 Democrats jumped ship to vote for passage of the Bill. Had the Democrats stayed solid the Bill would have been killed. 16 Republicans voted to kill it.
Barton, Bonilla D., Brady, Burgess, Carter, Conaway, Cuellar D, Culberson, DeLay, Edwards D, Gohmert, Granger, Hall, Hensarling, Johnson, Marchant, McCaul, Neugebauer, Reyes D, Sessions, Smith
The above are Texas Congressmen who voted yes for Reauthorization. All but one of the new Republicans from Texas walked the line just as was expected. Congressman Ted Poe from Houston did not vote. We called his office and learened that he was held up by bad weather in Houston and was not there but we were assured he would have voted no. We expected nothing less from him. In our experiences with him as a Houston judge he is a firm believer in the Constitution.
Note that 4 Texas Democrats voted for passage. Cuellar, Bonilla and Reyes are not real surprises despite their Mexican Heritage they have always been Democrats iname only. The unexpected knife in the back came from Chet Edwards of Waco. After we fought so hard to keep redistricting from taking his seat and then made his race with Arlene our number one priority, he sold us out. We, especially Greg and those in that district should call and let him know of our displeasure. Phone # 1-202-225-6105
Fax 202-225-0350. Be firm but nice. I have called and will Fax him this evening.
Calls & Faxes from across the state would be much appreciated. Give us some help here. We called the office of Congressman Ortiz D. to learn why he didn’t vote. We were told his vote card malfunctioned but they wouldn’t say how he had planned to vote. We’ll check that later but I have a strong personal belief that he will join the list on the yes side of the ledger.
Our only hope now lies with the Senate and Sen Frist the Majority Leader will not bring it to a vote yet because he doesn’t have the votes to stop a Filibuster that is being led by Senator Russ Feingold. We will get this sent now and stay with C-Span 2 until the Senate battle is once again on the Agenda. WE have no hope of making a difference in the Senate vote as calls made again today to both those offices show our Senators will toe the Party Line.
FYI Senator Feingold is the only Senator to vote against the original Patriot Act.
Ride Free – Ride Sober
Sputnik
State Chair TMRA 2
Ccc: 4:41 pm. Senator Frist has just announced that he has filed a Cloture Motion on HR 3199 that will be voted on in the morning and if it passes there will not be a possibility of a Filibuster on this Bill. In all likelihood HR 3199 will be sent to the President tomorrow evening and he will sign it very quickly and proclaim it a major victory for America.
This from a man who just screamed at an Aide “Don’t throw the Constitution up in my face. It is just a Goddamned piece of paper.”
Sput
