Some of us, okay, I am referring to myself, thought that FISA was cooked yesterday (really, I have thought this from the second they announced the unanimous consent agreement and bi-partisan extension baloney) and that the fork might as well be stuck in. As I said in the last thread,
…the House is putting on what appears to be a better showing than the Senate, but I have no doubt that it is all kabuki and the deal is done. I am pretty much positive that Pelosi, Hoyer and Boehner have their skids all greased and did so in conjunction with Hanoi Harry and the Senate Stumblebums. It is good to keep in mind that ALL of the representatives are up for election (only a third, give or take a few, of the Senate), so they have a vested interest in putting on a show. When the curtain closes, the final act will have been the same though.
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Remember, we thought there was at least a fighting chance in the Senate, and then all those eloquent and moving words by Chris Dodd, all followed by a whopping 29 Senators having the one ethical bone in their bodies to protect the constitution. Depressing. There is no way the House is going to squelch this after the Senate did that.
I still believe that analysis, but I will have to say that the House has put on a better show today than I expected, even after seeing the John Conyers letter issued evidencing that a little fight might be left in the old boys after all.
Cboldt had this to say last Saturday about the interplay between the Senate and House:
This latest push by the progressives, plus the fact that they have another extension ready, give me a little hope; but not much
The number of signatories, and their general “place” in the hierarchy of power, inclines me to think they are being “humored.” Their objection and voice can’t be blocked, and while it’s good to let them express their point of view, I’m not sure there is enough weight of objection in the House as a whole.
Yes, the right things are being said. But not by many.
The procedural details are in accord with the substantive material (e.g., contents of amendments, UC agreement) and a vote breakdown that heavily favors capitulation to the DNI demands. I wouldn’t be shocked if there was another extension, as a token political concession to the objectors, but I don’t expect Congress to send another extension to the WH.
I don’t follow the House that closely and don’t understand House procedure very well. So I’m stuck with mixed messages in that venue. On the one hand, RESTORE passed with a majority (no immunity); on the other hand, the number of vocal opposers to immunity is about the same fraction in the House as it is in the Senate; well under 20%. They can object and put on a good fight, but from what I can see, the numbers aren’t there.
I am interested in where all of you think we stand in relation to the House efforts today and moving forward. Is there any life in the good fight or are we just running out the clock? Please feel free to discuss any other relevant topics you have as well.