Telecom Immunity Set to Pass

After a long battle between key Democrats and the Bush Administration, a deal reached today will give telecommunications companies immunity as a part of a larger FISA bill (pdf). House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland claimed the agreement "balances the needs of our intelligence community with Americans' civil liberties, and provides critical new oversight and accountability requirements."

Russ Feingold, a Democratic Senator from Wisconsin, spoke out against the agreement. "The proposed FISA deal is not a compromise; it is a capitulation," he said. "The House and Senate should not be taking up this bill, which effectively guarantees immunity for telecom companies alleged to have participated in the President's illegal program, and which fails to protect the privacy of law-abiding Americans at home."

The House of Representatives is expected to approve the bill on Friday. A last ditch effort by activists and bloggers has been launched in an attempt to stave off this legislation. This issue may force Barack Obama into a position where he either disappoints his base by staying out of the fight or he may open himself up to national security attacks by speaking out against immunity.