Relevant note: I am proud to serve as Chris Dodd's internet director
UPDATE! 7:30 P.M: Senator Reid is going to pull the bill, actually, looks like he is in the process of doing it right now. This was a team victory. Senator Dodd's leadership and grassroots support. Will have more shortly. (/update)
With your indulgence, I'll use this space to keep you updated on Senator Dodd's efforts to stop any FISA bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies that helped the Bush Administration spy on America citizens.
I'll place updates throughout the day in the extended entry. Until then, here are potential avenues for meaningful participation.
1.) Contact your Senators and ask them to vote NO on any bill that includes retroactive immunity (LINK)
2.) Send a note to stand with Dodd as he prepares to stand and filibuster in the Senate (LINK)
3.) Use the contact tool to ask Senators to ask Senator Dodd questions during a potential filibuster (LINK)
Update 8: 5:56 PM Eastern
Dodd is back managing the floor again. Still in a holding pattern. No idea if or how much he is resting between this speeches on the floor. That's why its even more important for Senators to come in when a filibuster begins and relieve him with questions that take 20 minutes a pop.
Update 7: 5:11 PM Eastern
Still talking about the motion to proceed. We're still essentially in a holding pattern. Here's more video of Dodd on the floor.
Update 6: 3:08 PM Eastern
The Bush Administration puts out what they believe is an acceptable FISA bill. (pdf link).
"Furthermore, the Judiciary Committee amendment altogether fails to address the critical issue of liability protection. Accordingly, if the Judiciary Committee's substitute amendment is part of a bill that is presented to the President, the Director of National Intelligence, the Attorney General, and the President's other senior advisors will recommend that he veto the bill."
Update 5: 2:57 PM Eastern
Two quick notes. Kagro helpfully has the rundown of what's happening at this minute on the floor of the Senate. (LINK)
Jane Hamsher has secured a statement from Obama about today's proceedings. A number of folks have asked, and here it is. (LINK). Still no word from the Clinton and Biden organizations, to best of my knowledge.
Update 4: 1:25 PM Eastern
Senator Dodd is on the floor talking about stripping retroactive immunity from the bill. This is NOT a filibuster.
Update 3: 1:22 PM Eastern
Senator Feingold's Senate site has a handy fact sheet on the Dodd-Feingold amendment to strike retroactive immunity bill from the FISA bill. (LINK).
Update 2: 1:13 PM Eastern
Here is a copy of Senator Dodd's remarks this morning, as prepared. (LINK).
From here, there will hopefully be an amendment offered by Senators Dodd and Feingold to strip retroactive immunity from the Intelligence Committee bill.
Update 1: 12:30 PM Eastern
Portions of Senator Dodd's floor speech on the Motion to Proceed earlier this morning.