Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) made the following statement today after the Senate voted to pass the FISA Amendments Act:

“Today, the United States Senate faced a very fundamental question that has been asked for generations: Does America stand for the rule of law, or the rule of men?  But by passing FISA legislation that grants retroactive immunity to the telecom companies that allegedly participated in President Bush’s warrantless wiretapping program, we gave the wrong answer.   

“During this Congress, with the help of Senators Feingold, Leahy, and Reid and thousands of citizens across the country, I have fought retroactive immunity because I believe we best defend America when we also defend its founding principles. While we were able to delay passage for many months, it ultimately proved impossible to stop. 

“By sanctioning retroactive immunity, we have allowed the actions of a handful of favored corporations to remain unchallenged in a court of law.  The truth behind this Administration’s unprecedented domestic spying regime will now never see the light of day.

“While I am deeply disappointed by the outcome of today’s vote in the Senate, I am confident that the Constitutionality of this decision will be challenged in the courts.  In the meantime, I will continue to stand up for the rule of law and American civil liberties at every opportunity.  Now more than ever, we must all remain vigilant protectors of the Constitution.”    

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