Key Civil Liberties Votes 2007-2008
Legislation that has become law
1. Preserve the Independence of United States Attorneys -- Public Law 110-34
S.214
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Vote: 94-2 in the Senate on March 20, 2007
306-114 in the House on May 27, 2007 (required 2/3 to pass)
This law protects civil liberties.
2. Protect America Act -- Public Law 110-55
S.1927
Sponsor: Sen McConnell, Mitch [R-KY]
Vote: 60-28 in Senate on August 3, 2007
227-183 in House on August 4, 2007
This bill does not protect civil liberties.
3. Open the Government Act -- Public Law 110-175
S. 2488
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick [D-VT]
(Votes not recorded. Unanimous voice vote in Senate December 14, 2007. Voice vote in House December 18, 2007.
Puts penalties on government agencies that don't respond to FOIA requests in a timely way.
Does nothing to revoke Ashcroft's secrecy memorandum of 2001, so government agencies can still err on the side of keeping information
from the American public. This bill protects civil liberties.
Legislation passed in one chamber
1. Amendment Restoring Habeas Corpus for those Detained by the U.S.
S.Amdt. 2022 to S.Amdt. 2011 to H.R. 1585
(National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008)
Sponsor: Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA]
Vote:
56-43 in Senate on September 19, 2007
On the Cloture Motion to end debate - Cloture motion rejected. Motion needed 3/5 majority (or 60 votes) to pass.
This bill would have protected civil liberties.
2. Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act
HR 1955
Sponsor: Rep. Harman, Jane [D-CA-36th]
404-6 in House on October 23, 2007
This bill does not protect civil liberties.
3. RESTORE Act
HR 3773
Sponsor: Rep. John Conyers [D-MI-14th]
Vote: 213-197 in House on March 14, 2008
This bill protects civil liberties.
Legislation passed by Congress, but vetoed
Restrictions on Interrogations Methods
H.R.2082
Sponsor: Rep. Reyes, Silvestre [D-TX-16]
222-199 in House on December 13, 2007
51-45 in the Senate on February 13, 2008.
Provision prohibiting the use of any interrogation techniques not found in the Army Field Manual. This bill was vetoed by President Bush on March 8, 2008.
This bill would have protected civil liberties.