House Leaves Patriot Act As Is

The Republican-led House bowed to a White House veto threat Thursday and stood by the USA Patriot Act, defeating an effort to block the part of the anti-terrorism law that helps the government investigate people's reading habits.

The effort to defy Bush and bridle the law's powers lost by 210-210, with a majority needed to prevail. The amendment appeared on its way to victory as the roll call's normal 15-minute time limit expired, but GOP leaders kept the vote open for 23 more minutes as they persuaded about 10 Republicans who initially supported the provision to change their votes.

"Shame, shame, shame," Democrats chanted as the minutes passed and votes were switched. The tactic was reminiscent of last year's House passage of the Medicare overhaul measure, when GOP leaders held the vote open for an extra three hours until they got the votes they needed.

This sucks. We won this one and the fuckers stole it! I'm including a list of representatives who switched their votes from yes to no; we should complain to them about it, especially if you happen to be a constituent for any of them. Links below are to the contact page of the official website of each representative. I suggest you let them know that you're not pleased with their recent waffle.

Sir,

I am extremely displeased with your decision to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in a recent vote concerning the Patriot Act. Although you initially voted correctly to limit the powers granted to government under the Act, you then caved to politically-motivated pressure from the Bush administration -- an administration that has been responsible for deliberate civil rights abuses up to and including torture. You had an opportunity to take a stand for freedom and liberty, a stand that would have made the founding fathers of our nation proud, and instead you have chosen to cower in craven terror at the first hint of opposition. If you cannot stand up for your views in the face of opposition from the Bush Administration, how can you possibly stand up for America in the face of true terrorism?

Liberty must not be a victim in the war on terror. I am ashamed of you, and I expect better.

Get the word out. We have no use for craven cowards. Leave a comment after you've contacted the Representatives above.

UPDATE: Lew Rockwell has a slightly more detailed account of his this trick works.

Posted on 2004-07-09 10:14:35.0 by matthew@triggerfinger.org

Check the groups below and enter your email address to receive updates by email:

The trackback URL for this entry is: http://triggerfinger.org/weblog/servlet/trackback/5533

No trackbacks have been posted so far.

salutation

I'm guessing Representative Musgrave would not appreciate being addressed as 'sir.'

Posted by katie on 2004-07-13 14:04:37.0

To Jack Kingston of Georgia

Here's my missive: "His conservative track record has won him recognition and awards from many non-partisan citizens? groups. He has been named each term as a ?Taxpayer?s Hero," and has been recognized as ?Senior Friendly? and ?A Guardian of Small Business.? Congressman Kingston was also awarded the ?Watchdog of the Treasury Award,? and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce?s ?Spirit of Enterprise? Award." I don't know how you grew up and went to college in Athens like I did, and turned out Republican. Must've had your head down most of the time. You should be ashamed that you bent under pressure to vote down the Patriot Act amendment. I don't know if they offered more federal dollars to your district or what, but accepting that enemy of privacy Act in the face of political threats or for a few local projects is 30 pieces of silver to me. And apparently, you've given up being "watchdog of the treasury" in the Federal Government. Thanks for the bills you're going to make my kids pay for. Oh, here's the more polite version: Sir, I am extremely displeased with your decision to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in a recent vote concerning the Patriot Act. Although you initially voted correctly to limit the powers granted to government under the Act, you then caved to politically-motivated pressure from the Bush administration -- an administration that has been responsible for deliberate civil rights abuses up to and including torture. You had an opportunity to take a stand for freedom and liberty, a stand that would have made the founding fathers of our nation proud, and instead you have chosen to cower in craven terror at the first hint of opposition. If you cannot stand up for your views in the face of opposition from the Bush Administration, how can you possibly stand up for America in the face of true terrorism? Liberty must not be a victim in the war on terror. I am ashamed of you, and I expect better.

Posted by Mason McDaniel on 2004-07-13 14:31:18.0