Representative Steve Rothman is a co-sponsor of two resolutions - sponsored in their respective chambers by Senator Russ Feingold and Congressman Maurice Hinchey - "condemning the president, vice president and the attorney general for misconduct regarding our military involvement in Iraq and for their repeated assaults on the rule of law at home."
Rothman is the only congressman from New Jersey currently supporting the resolutions, which have 19 original co-sponsors in the House.
The president and vice president are condemned for "Misleading the nation about the threat posed by Saddam Hussein's regime and about Saddam's links to al Qaeda and 9/11, Inadequate planning for military action in Iraq, Overstraining the military and undermining homeland security and Misleading the nation about the strength of the insurgency."
The attorney general is condemned for "Authorizing the illegal NSA warrantless wiretapping program, Pursuing extreme policies concerning torture and the treatment of detainees, Detaining enemy combatants indefinitely without charges, access to a lawyer, or habeas rights, Unilaterally authorizing flawed military commissions that were subsequently struck down by the Supreme Court, Misleading Congress and the public about, and obstructing investigations into, the firings of U.S. Attorneys, Making misleading statements regarding civil liberties abuses under the Patriot Act and Undermining acts of Congress with signing statements based on extreme theories of executive power."
US Senator Menendez (D-NJ) is “looking closely� at signing on to US Senator Russell Feingold’s (D-WI) bill to censure President Bush, Senator Menendez told Atlanta Progressive News during an in-person interview.
Menendez told Atlanta Progressive News that many US Senators are looking closely at the bill, S Res 398.
When they are satisfied after investigating the facts that the President broke the law, he is sure more Senators would sign on, Menendez said.
For all the crimes he's committed and authorized, Bush should be locked away for life, but if they want to start off with a symbolic slap on the wrist, I'll take it.
Abate for Congress: "A New Spine for Congress." Rights. Reason. Responsibility. www.abateforcongress.com
The Senate Judiciary Committee was supposed to commence hearings Monday on Senator Russ Feingold's censure resolution. It was not a surprise that the Republicans refused to show up.
It was a surprise that the heavy hitters in the Democratic Party did not appear.
Ted Kennedy, Dianne Feinstein, Dick Durbin, Charles Schumer, and Joe Biden all ducked the hearing, with the predictable result: there was no hearing.
So much for democracy. With representatives like this, who needs a democracy?
Actually I should not be surprised. I've been talking about the spinelessness of the Democratic Party (as have all of you) for years now. Yet still, when something like this happens, I feel a twinge of shock. Can it really truly be that our elected officials are afraid even to discuss an issue? Putting aside the question of whether censure is good or bad, right or wrong, a slap on the wrist or too strong a message, can't we even show up to discuss things anymore?
That sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach no longer stays too long, though -- because of this run I am making for Congress. With all of your help, I am confident that I will make it to Congress, and then we can show them what it means to be a man, or a woman, as opposed to a mouse, or a rat.
Standing up for principles is only scary until you realize that everyone around you is sighing with relief that finally, thank God, there's someone with a voice. And then, as has happened to me countless times -- as a trustee for my church, or as a committee member in some group, or even just as the member of a captive audience -- someone will say, good job, I'm glad somebody had the guts to speak up.
It's time to remember the responsibility that comes with democracy -- the responsibility to participate, to speak out, to be heard by others, to vote.
Feingold introduced censure legislation Monday in the Senate, but not a single Democrat has embraced it.
What a lazy, dishonest hack job. John Kerry has been saying right out of the gate he would support the resolution, Boxer's office has been confirming that she would and so has Menendez. And now Harkin (above) has signed on as a co-sponsor. Counting Feingold himself, that's five.
If it's true about Menendez, this is great news. It doesn't quite offset the Patriot Act vote, but together with his cloture vote on Alito it shows he is willing to stand strong against the national Republicans.
A friend who’s one of the most politically active people I know just came by, looking so tired and disgusted that it was a wonder he could even speak. The disgust was for the Senate Democrats who have been acting like Sen. Russ Feingold has cooties for introducing a motion to censure the president over his grossly illegal domestic espionage program. The fatigue came from the knowledge that this little scenario has already been played out many times by the national party, and will be played out many times more.
"If this is how I feel," he said, "how does it make other people feel?" Meaning: people without his level of commitment.
They probably feel the way I do. Baffled, frustrated and certain that whatever happens in the upcoming congressional races, the Democrats will take away the wrong message.
(bump - this is really important kids. A sitting US Senator has reached out to us pajama wearing internet geeks to help frame a debate and get the media to pay attention to this. Let's help. - promoted by Media In Trouble)
Fortunately, today we have an opportunity to help answer that question. Let's partake in the political process as a team!
Over the weekend, Sen. Russ Feingold announced he was going to introduce a motion to censure the President. This is largely a symbolic gesture to ask the Congress to hold the President's feet to the fire over his blatant disregard for the law (see wiretapping, domestic and warrantless).
All you have to do is contact Sen. Lautenberg, and Sen. Menendez and ask them if they support Sen. Feingold's censure, if not why not, and if so have they made any plans to talk to the press about it.
Sen. Lautenberg:
(202) 224-3224
Sen. Menendez:
(202) 224-4744
While you are at it, you can call the rest of your Congresscritters (find them here, and ask them the same questions.
Below the fold are some talking points you can refer to on these exciting phone calls.
Once you do, report back here (in comments), and I will report back to Firedoglake and in the end, we should have a report about how all Congresscritters feel about Russ Feingold's maneuver. Of course, any congressfolk (or their authorized representatives that are reading this) can directly answer these questions in comments.
As Shakespeare's Sister reminds us, censuring a sitting President hasn't been accomplished since Jackson. I realize that like many other things these days, censuring Bush may require a pig and some anal unicorns to take flight but we can at least make a phone call to see if the forecast calls for swine.
(Every Senator needs to be put on the record about whether or not they support warrantless wiretapping in violation of the FISA Act, and whether they will holt the President accountable for violating our laws. - promoted by jmelli)
Update - March 12, 2006 at 23:05:36 EST by jmelli Firedoglake wants us all to call our Senators first thing Monday morning:
Your action steps: call both your Senators first thing in the morning and ask if they support Russ Feingold's censure proposal. If they don't, ask what their position is on the issue -- and why.
The more people we have calling, the more staffers in the offices start to realize that Feingold struck a political chord with a bunch of us in America. And then the more we continue to call, the more that message starts to sink in...and then some. Plus, it forces Senators to go on the record one way or the other, which is useful information for all of us to have.
Frank Lautenberg: (202) 224-3224, FAX (202) 228-4054 Bob Menendez: (202) 224-4744, FAX (202) 228-2197
We have to FLOOD their offices with phone calls, faxes, emails! They did not join Feingold in voting against the Patriot Act in the final vote, so they are obviously susceptible to GOP pressure or posturing for the next election.
A hand written fax can be effective, as well as a phone call.
Let us know what they say.
You can also call Feingold's office to thank him: Russ Feingold: (202) 224-5323
