Senate vote on expanding FBI surveillance without warrant fails by one vote

[tsai3904]

Roll call vote:
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LI...n=2&vote=00108

Amendment needed 60 votes. McConnell had to switch his vote to Nay in order to bring the amendment up again in the future (likely later today).

The amendment will allow the FBI to obtain the following records without a warrant:

(A) Name, physical address, e-mail address, telephone number, instrument number, and other similar account identifying information.

(B) Account number, login history, length of service (including start date), types of service, and means and sources of payment for service (including any card or bank account information).

(C) Local and long distance toll billing records.

(D) Internet Protocol (commonly known as `IP') address or other network address, including any temporarily assigned IP or network address, communication addressing, routing, or transmission information, including any network address translation information (but excluding cell tower information), and session times and durations for an electronic communication.''.

[tsai3904]

If your Senator is listed, make sure you call their office today and urge them to vote against the McCain amendment that expands FBI surveillance.

[TheTexan]

Who needs a warrant, when, saaafety?

[timosman]

So Dems opposed the bill and it did not pass?

[tsai3904]

So Dems opposed the bill and it did not pass?

Yes, most Dems opposed the amendment and the amendment did not pass as it needed 60 votes. However, the amendment will likely be brought up for a revote.

[Brian4Liberty]

Ted Cruz opposes the Constitution?

[William Tell]

Ted Cruz opposes the Constitution?

Yes he does.

[TheTexan]

Yes, most Dems opposed the amendment and the amendment did not pass as it needed 60 votes. However, the amendment will likely be brought up for a revote.

Perhaps they just need to include some gun restrictions in the amendment, to get Rand Paul's vote to bring it to 60

[Ronin Truth]

I'd sure be a lot more comfortable with much more of a 'hell no' vote cushion.

[charrob]

Civil Liberties Activists Mobilize Against Surveillance Amendment


McConnell Amendment Would Give FBI Warrantless Access to Private Data

The FBI is always pushing for more surveillance power, and had recently called for a “amendment” of the law regarding what data they can get without a warrant. The law right now lists things the FBI can get, which the FBI called a “typo,” insisting those were meant to just be examples, and that the FBI could get virtually anything they want at any time if it’s terror related.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R – KY), backed by several other Republicans, introduced exactly such an amendment last night, aiming to give the FBI unfettered access to, among other things, the web browsing history of all Americans.

The ACLU was quick to come out against the plan, saying they are “strongly opposed” to the plan, which not only dramatically expands FBI surveillance but also makes “lone wolf” parts of the Patriot Act permanent.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D – OR) is so far the only official in opposition to the move, saying it would “unnecessarily expand the government’s ability to conduct surveillance of Americans.” Though the Justice Department rejected the FBI’s argument that they were always “meant” to have this power, the current surveillance-happy makeup of the Senate makes it very likely it will pass in the absence of more vocal opposition.

[NorthCarolinaLiberty]

If the vote is 58-38, then how did it fail by one vote?

[tsai3904]

If the vote is 58-38, then how did it fail by one vote?

McConnell voted Yea but had to switch to Nay at the last second. This allows him to call up the amendment for a revote at a later time.

[milgram]

Surprised to see Feinstein and Menendez abstain from this vote

[phill4paul]

$#@! Burr. $#@! Tillis.