Feingold, Hinchey Introduce Resolutions Censuring President, Vice President & Attorney General

Source: Rep. Hinchey Press Release

August 6, 2007
Feingold, Hinchey Introduce Resolutions Censuring
President, Vice President, & Attorney General

Resolutions Condemn President and Administration Officials
for Misconduct Leading Up Toand During Military Involvement in Iraq,
and for Undermining the Rule of Law

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) and U.S. Representative Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) have introduced two censure resolutions in their respective chambers 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. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) is a cosponsor of both Senate censure resolutions and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) is a cosponsor of the Senate censure resolution regarding Iraq. The House resolutions have 19 original cosponsors.

- snip -

“From misleading this country into invading Iraq to establishing a warrantless domestic spy program, this White House has continuously misled and deceived the American people while disregarding the rule of law that guides our democracy,” Hinchey said. “The Bush administration has placed an extraordinary burden on this and future generations to recover from the damage done to our Constitution and national security. While it will take time to get our country back on the right track, we in Congress can act now by passing these censure resolutions to hold the White House accountable and to let the historical record show that an equal branch of government found the actions of this administration undeniably reprehensible. I am honored to be working with Senator Feingold on these censure resolutions and look forward to gathering support in order to pass them in both chambers.”

The censure resolutions regarding Iraq, S.Res.302 and H.Res.625, condemn the president and vice president 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
• Misleading the nation about the strength of the insurgency

The censure resolutions regarding the rule of law, S.Res.303 and H.Res.626, condemn the president and attorney general 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
• Undermining acts of Congress with signing statements based on extreme theories of executive power

Read more: http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ny22_hinchey/morenews/080607CensureIntroduction.html

I don't believe that by getting a toe wet with censure, Congress will leap into the Impeachment Pool, not even to escape the roaring flames of incensed public opinion.

Sen. Feingold was a guest discussing this - Later in discussion, Bob Woodward was asked about censure and said "I don't know where this goes?" Others commented that those in the GOP parting with the President on the Iraq conflict will simply be driven back to him by such acts, they have to!

in on the FISA double cross

And give them a big laugh too!!

I have five bucks saying these resolutions never make it out of committee. I have another five saying that Pelosi will use her authority as Speaker to kill the resolutions.

right ther eiwth you, techbear

finally stood up and called Cheney and Gonzo, "Poopy heads."

Especially when you can predict that not even all Democrats will support it. Too worried about elections, money contributions, special interests and their political careers.

it give them an excuse to avoid real action. It rallies the right, and while insulting those paying attention.

It's insulting.

It's embarrassing.

of discussion and study? Anything so important should be studied. I can't believe how ignorant or uncaring about the constitution are the members of our congress. Of course we need to catch terrorists, but no study, no serious long discussion of a bill that the imcompetant Gonzalez will over see?????? Can we trust Gonzalez? He can't even answer a straight question without tripping all over himself. He has a small brain or is not up to the level of his job.

cancel their vacations. They did not want to have to stay in D.C. during the hottest summer month. They did not want to lose their personal money that they spent on their airline tickets for their summer getaway. That is why.

They did not want to leave this issue to Bush to exploit during the August, early September period.


Let's focus on the mother lode issues now emerging in the Abramoff/Cunningham scandals. I believe we are about to get evidence that Bush and the Republicans have been supported by the Saudi Arabians. Some Democrats may be involved also, and just who they are will probably shock a lot of people. That is the big issue now. Let's focus on that. The whole surveillance thing, the Plame thing, the issues about Turkey, Iraq, even Greece, BAE, they are all tied to the Saudi corruption of our democratic processes.

They effectively slapped a plaster on what was there now for 6 months; otherwise Bush was well placed to stamp his little feet and make shrill noises until something happened; and the Dems can't let him make unchecked noise about how the Dem's are leaving the country undefended, because Chertoff has a gut feeling that there might be an act of terrorism etc.etc.

no, I'm being serious.What effect does this have on their wrongdoings? Does a censure mandate a cease and desist?

who want decisive action. In reality it will only alienate them further. Whomever thought this was a good idea should be fired.

at all in the rePIGs and spinlessness in the Dems and a lack of love of the Constitution.

I'm not familiar with that term. :shrug:

The Repiglican Party!

Spot on as far as what their stupid ass motivation is. They are completely wrong if they think this is anywhere near sufficient!!!!

any accountability. This is the only place that seems to be moving forward.

America is going totalitarian because of a dumb little pampered piece of filth who was always bailed out by his parents and parent's friends, who never had a moment in his life to account for his wrong actions.
Yes, I am going to live to see my beloved nation go the way of latin America. Only a draft will awaken the sleeping overworked overstressed average Americans.

but I'll take it

better than the daily special

She was just re-elected. She is from a strongly Democratic state. There is no excuse for her vote.

She is a member of the tr!lateral commish. The folks working for a world order in which the rich have all the rights and the rest have none...and this was just one more screw in our coffin...she is not on our side. Her co members are people like Cheny, Bush senior, Pearl, Wolfow!tless, and all the neocons that brought on this criminal war and the shredding of our rights. Names misspelt to protect the innocent.

but they seem to forget that:



All of this is legal now. They really shot themselves in the foot with the FISA thing if they knew they were going to submit this today. Gonzo's in charge, and he will say that the wiretapping program has always been performed legally, and that it was approved as it is just the other day.

They could have flipped * the middle finger thing about FISA and then introduced this on firm legal ground. They're standing on quicksand now, and impeachment is "off the table"

:mad:

We want what they want. Now shut up and send us money! We need to win in 2008!

Doesn't anyone stand for separation of power and limited authority anymore???

Intentionally ignoring the desperate people stranded at the Convention Center and turning his back at their plight today.

Bush's mental illness prevents him from understanding the implications of that.

As far as Cheney and Gonzo, I concur with other posters....So What???

Is this just a Press Release figuring the Netroots will be out here cheering after what they did with FISA? Did they just happen to have drawn these up in anticipation of how the vote was going to go and now they want to make nicey, nice with us?

Somehow this is very depressing. It seems so calculated in timing. And, what does a Censure do? NOTHING!

We're being handled. Nice.

Spin till we puke is supposed to be the repub game.

http://feingold.senate.gov/~feingold/statements/06/03/2006313.html


Remarks of Senator Russ Feingold

Introducing a Resolution to Censure President George W. Bush
As Prepared

March 13, 2006

Listen to Senator Feingold's Remarks
http://feingold.senate.gov/feingold060313.mp3

Mr. President, when the President of the United States breaks the law, he must be held accountable.
That is why today I am introducing a resolution to censure President George W. Bush.

The President authorized an illegal program to spy on American citizens on American soil, and then
misled Congress and the public about the existence and legality of that program. It is up to this
body to reaffirm the rule of law by condemning the President’s actions.

All of us in this body took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States
and bear true allegiance to the same. Fulfilling that oath requires us to speak clearly and force-
fully when the President violates the law. This resolution allows us to send a clear message that
the President’s conduct was wrong.

And we must do that. The President’s actions demand a formal judgment from Congress.

More.....

---------------

Senator Feingold is an independent progressive thinker who votes the courage
of his strong convictions.

In August 2005, he was the first senator to call for U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.

On March 13, 2006 and again on July 22, 2007, Sen. Feingold boldly called for
Congressional censure of President Bush.

Sen. Feingold and the USA Patriot Act: In 2001, Feingold was the lone Senator who voted
against the USA Patriot Act, despite pressure for a unanimous vote.

He voted against the Iraq War in 2002, and was the first senator to call for a specific
timetable for US exit from Iraq.

On March 13, 2006, he called for censure of President Bush for illegal wiretapping
of Americans.

While he supported 90% of the Patriot Act, he "voted against it because certain
provisions... represent a very dangerous infringement on our civil liberties."

Sen. Feingold and the Iraq War:

Sen. Feingold was one of 23 senators to vote against the Iraq War, writing on October 11, 2002,

"Both in terms of the justifications for an invasion and in terms of the mission and the
plan for the invasion, Mr. President, the Administration's arguments just don't add up... "

On August 21, 2005, Sen. Feingold became the first senator to call for a specific U.S.
withdrawal date, December 31, 2006, from Iraq.

http://usliberals.about.com/od/liberalpersonalprofiles/p/SenFeingold.htm

I don't know why...but that makes it even worse for me in "calculated" to roll this old thing out that Feingold had already put together...so it was waiting...after they did the "Dirty Deed." :-(

Gonzo and Cheney!! That takes time and and NO! That isn't that easy!
The first time he introduced it was BEFORE the election!

but not do anything about it? Kinda pointless, but whatever.

real nice gesture though.

I just wish he didn't fund the war. I guess he can do what he wants - the GOP can't beat him...EVER!

:(

Will they be delivering that censure in a Hallmark Greeting Card?

Is this suppose to make us feel good? After refunding and prolonging the illegal occupation. After failing to hold one single top official accountable for the horrendous crimes committed against the people of this country and the world. After giving bush his now legal right to listen in to anyone he wants instead of impeaching him for already admitting to breaking the law. After all this and more we're suppose to get all excited about a "censure"?

I'd like to tell you where they can stick that censure but there might be children reading this post.

but sadly most of us wonk out at a later age.

So I think it's safe to say that they can stick their censure up their collective asses.

Get it off your chest; stress is bad for your heart.

Welcome to DU, gonnuts! Love your name. :hi:

anyone in MA or illinois call up TK and Durbin, I can see them possibly adding their names as cosponsors.

have to be prepared, ya know...

He will hate that the censures will dog his administration, even into history.

Ain't gonna happen. This move is meant to mollify us silly, silly netroot folks because they need us to open our pocketbooks and wallets for them.

So very disrespectful to us, this is. Wallet remains closed. Gore will get all of my money, no one else will.

You want my money? Show me the impeachment. Don't even bother otherwise.

bush doesn't care about history. When asked how history would view his presidency he answered: "History? Who cares? We'll all be dead."

bush doesn't care about what any of us peons have to say about him. We're not his people. We don;t have Golden Parachutes and seven-figure wealth.

And you can take this to the bank - bush might be right. If we continue on the path he's set, and I don't see anything derailing this course, there indeed might not be a "history".

So none of the actions that are being condemned are valid grounds for impeachment? How is this accountability? The precedent here is that if you commit impeachable offenses, you may get a slap on the wrist. This isn't a great start to anything, it's the end of the story.

:woohoo:

I know when I'm being spun.

Whoo fucking hoo. Yawn.

:kick:

I hope nobody cries, and they dont get their feelings hurt. This will look very bad on their resumes.

Impeach the Bastards!

Do it!

Do. It. Now!

I believe that's the name of this one. Like being handled? I don't.

Source: CQ Politics

Democrats have introduced resolutions in the House and Senate that would censure President Bush, Vice President Cheney and Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales.

Russ Feingold, D-Wis., introduced the censure resolutions in the Senate on Aug. 4; New York Democrat Maurice D. Hinchey introduced them in the House a day later.

One resolution (S Res 302, H Res. 625), would censure Bush and Cheney for “misleading the American people” about the need to invade and occupy Iraq, as well as for poor planning and conduct of the war.

The other measure (S Res 303, H Res. 626) would censure Bush and Gonzales for “undermining the rule of law and the separation of powers” by, among other things, authorizing the National Security Agency to conduct warrantless surveillance of American citizens and making “misleading” statements about the application of the a sweeping 2001 anti-terrorism law (PL 107-56).

“Congress cannot stay silent when the American people are demanding that this administration be held accountable for its blatant misconduct regarding Iraq and its attack on the rule of law,” Feingold said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/cq/20070806/pl_cq_politics/democratsintroducecensureresolutionsaimedatbushcheneyandgonzales;_ylt=AqY1gGuX6xpFKhpHHitrmTqs0NUE

---

Yes!

Ummmm...maybe 3+ years ago? A little late to the dance, imo.

have a majority in either the house or senate so how could he introduce anything? russ has never been late to the dance.

Censure? Oh please. These rat bastards don't give a damn if they are censured. Impeached? You betcha. Censured? Ummm...not so much.

Remarks of Senator Russ Feingold

http://feingold.senate.gov/~feingold/statements/06/03/2006313.html

Introducing a Resolution to Censure President George W. Bush
As Prepared

March 13, 2006

Listen to Senator Feingold's Remarks

Mr. President, when the President of the United States breaks the law, he must be held accountable.
That is why today I am introducing a resolution to censure President George W. Bush.

more...

interesting...

The rubes love that dog and pony show! All the drama! All the suspense! Wow, the Republicans won again and by such a small margin!!! Wow, so thrilling.............

one of the few senators who has consistently been on the right side. censure is the first step in the process...

He doesn't support impeachment, does he? I read a link over at KO's where I believe that was his postition.

as equally bad as an affair with a 20 year old....

And a buck short. This isn't going anywhere. Too many spineless Dems, not enough courageous ones. Much like impeachment this is hopeless unless the cowards grow spines.

:kick:

about getting things done. Gore did the same thing and look what happened to him, us and the nation as a whole!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That and a buck will get you a bottomless cup of coffee at Perkins.

Don't hurt yourself now.:dem:

when Congress just approved a revision of FISA that looks worse than the original - - - Giving Gonzo More Authority?? And the Chief Justice of the SC??

Therefore it does not matter to this administration. Only loss of office and jail will matter.

until we hold these pigs accountable they will continue on their merry way without a single thought to the american public.

the obvious failure of the democratic house and senate to recognize the complete and utter failure and stream of bullshit that comes out of the wh* on a daily basis is now the real crime to me.

I know that moron* lives in a fantasy land but it appears as if the dems are running out the clock by being willfully ignorant.

rice, miers and now rove give the dems the finger over subpoenas, the dems keep passing bills for morons* benefit then doing the backdoor explanation of this being a way to whittle down his power.

I only have one question: what kind of drugs are the dems on and where can I get some? because it must be really good shit.

Let the 41 KNOW how we feel about their voting
against our best interests.

Please.

http://ga1.org/campaign/censure07/8ig8kig2lbx3n3w?qp_source=web%5fcensure0707d

Russ is doing all he can, considering
the dems are NOT voting in a block.

You cheesy chickenshit surrender monkeys. Fuck you and the horse you road in on! Go home!

Big Fucking Deal.

:shrug:

I can't even begin to describe the disgust I'm feeling and frankly depression and anger around it all....

I don't know what is going to happen, but I think a whole lot of shit and suffering is going to have to fall upon the American people/sheeple before they "get it"...

help.

Impeachment has to start in the House, not the Senate. The handful of representatives calling for the impeachment of Cheney can always be painted as nutball progressives playing partisan politics. Now that distinguished Senators are calling out both Bush and Cheney for crimes involving lying us into war, this now becomes much more serious. We need to keep pushing for impeachment, though, and not just settle for censure.

:applause: :applause:

:kick: & Recommended!!

the guy has been out there looooong before anyone else seem to get the fact that our civil liberties were being sold down the river. Doesn't anyone recall ( I know you do, Breeze 54 as you posted as such) that he was the lone'no' vote on the Patriot Act? My thought is that NO ONE is out there doing anything on impeachment (of note) so I applaud the fact that Russ has taken a stance here.It may not go far enough for everyone here, but he's doing SOMETHING.

...because it looks like something to certain people, like you. it is a bone.

he should sit down.

There had to be a deal made. Congress approves the "intrusion" bill, and Bush, Cheney, and Gonzo allow Congress to introduce a little censure resolution to appease and quiet the netroots.

Sorry, I'm not appeased & I won't be quiet!

Gonna call'em by their full names even!

That's more than you will see coming from the Fascist Republican traitors in this Congress. It should lead to something more and though my hope on that is dwindling, I hope it does.

Impeach/Out of Iraq GENERAL STRIKE SEPT. 11th!

Buy nothing - do nothing - be you banker, baker, candle-stick maker. Stay home, go to the park. Bring this country to a standstill!

BE HEARD! Pass it on.

The ONLY thing these guys care about is money. Stop buying. Stop spending. STOP PAYING WAR TAXES! Tens of thousands of people, in the DC streets, for weeks on end. THAT will stop this war. THAT will return power to the people.

So what. Too little. Too late.

http://ga1.org/campaign/censure07?source=web_censure07

K & R

If the Dems can't even stand up to a bill that broadens King George's authority to snoop without warrants, why should I believe that they can put through anything like this?

Not that the Blue Dogs will even let this worthless centure pass anyhow.

What a frigging joke.

Yeah, that'll teach 'em. Is this all Feingold has the spine for?? He should resign in disgrace, the coward!! Once again the Republicans laugh in our faces and we come off looking like spineless cowards.

Are they really going to do it?

Why isn't it on the front page of CNN? Why isn't it on the front page of all the major networks? WHY WHY WHY?? Why aren't we having a massive general strike against this president?

<GD&R>

Wake me when something of SUBSTANCE actually gets done...

This is coveryourass crap...

Meaningless in light of recent events...

I doubt even this crap will "pass" either...

Fuck 'em all...

(apologies)

I have an idea: instead of censuring him, why don't you soundly reject his plan to spy on American citizens?

hang onto the hoops there's gonna be a storm........ohhhh. censure. bfd. wtfc. who the fuck cares. they voted for *'s abomination of a war, most of them, and for the recent shit paper revising fisa. Now they are gonna spank him with a reed. I just can't wait.
* is gonna never let another free election happen and our "patriot dems" are going to be remembered as enablers. excuse me if i just don't care anymore.

Impeach the bastards already.

A bank robbery is in progress. The cops say, "Let's censure those guys; that'll teach 'em not to rob banks." What's wrong with this picture?

J

now those mean ol pugs are going to get it....we need all your attention on this right now...Ya'll just forget about that little double cross kabuki on that unimportant little FISA thing we are sweeping under the rug and concentrate on the ra ra pain we are now going to inflict on the pugs with no less than a censure...we are going to huff and puff and blow their brick shit houses down...really...this time its for real..honest...wolf, wolf....this time its really here....yuh...fer sher....yawn...call me for the 08 elections....and I'll vote you back into office....really....honest...fer sher

You hang them.

Plenty of room on the yardarms of the USS Constitution.

Plenty of rope, too.

Coming from the same Congress that gave Gonzo the power to spy on all of us without having to go to any court, this smacks of more smoke and mirrors to give us false hopes.

Feingold, if you really care like I think you do, call on Pelosi to put impeachment back on the table.

Hinchey, put some teeth in what you say you want done by supporting H Res 333, the Cheney impeachment resolution. Also, call on Pelosi to stop blocking impeachment.

cowards party. Wake me when it's over and I'm officially a slave.

Another step in the path to impeachment - pass a censure resolution which frames the grounds for impeachment, then impeach . . .

i think this fisa vote and this ham-handed bone feingold is throwing us are exposing the democratic party for what it really is. are you seeing it?