The Political Chase

BREAKING: Reid Pulls FISA Amendment

What is Reid doing? (See update below.)

Reuters:

U.S. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid on Monday abruptly postponed until next month consideration of a measure to give immunity to telephone companies that participated in President George W. Bush’s warrantless domestic spying program.

“Everyone feels it would be to the best interest of the Senate that we take a look at this when we come back after the first of the year,” Reid, facing a pile of unfinished work, said on the Senate floor.

“We have tried to work through this process, and it appears quite clear at this stage on this bill we’re not going to be able to do that,” Reid said.

And of course the standard fear-mongering from the White House:

The White House said in a statement, “Providing liability protection to these companies is a just result” and warned that allowing litigation “risks the disclosure of highly classified information regarding intelligence sources and methods.”

Update:  Many seem to view Reid’s decision to be a victory, albeit not permanent nor long-term. I suppose I would go along with that. Although it was deferred until January, it did not sail through, passing quickly, as many would have preferred.