From Senator Mark Udall’s press release today–full text after the jump:

Today, Mark Udall, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence committees, announced that he has joined Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein and a bipartisan group of his colleagues in introducing the Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011, to clarify that American citizens apprehended inside the United States cannot be indefinitely detained by the military.

The Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011 is a response to a controversial provision passed Thursday as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, which could be interpreted to allow American citizens to be detained indefinitely without trial. Udall opposed that provision and fought to remove it from the authorization bill…

“There are American citizens who have collaborated with our enemies and participated in attacks against our soldiers and civilians; those traitors should be dealt with,” Udall said. “But even in our darkest hours, we must ensure that our Constitution prevails. We do ourselves a grave disservice by allowing for any citizen to be locked up indefinitely without trial – no matter how serious the charges against them. Our national security leadership has even said it could make us less safe. Especially given the provisions in the 2012 defense authorization bill, we must clarify that the law unequivocally does not allow the government to detain Americans indefinitely on U.S. soil without trial or charge. And that is the purpose behind this new legislation.”

For more on the vote to approve the National Defense Authorization Act, and the fight over controversial provisions therein regarding the indefinite detention of American citizens, the Pueblo Chieftain’s Peter Roper writes:

As for the Senate, Colorado’s Mark Udall helped attract national attention to the issue last week when he offered an unsuccessful amendment to the Senate version that would have stripped out the detention language.

Udall voted for the bill on final passage Thursday but stated: “As these (detention) provisions are implemented over the coming months and years, I intend to hold accountable this administration and any future administration.”

Complete Udall Press Release

Udall Co-Sponsors Bipartisan Bill to Prohibit Indefinite Detention of Americans without Trial or Charge

Today, Mark Udall, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence committees, announced that he has joined Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein and a bipartisan group of his colleagues in introducing the Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011, to clarify that American citizens apprehended inside the United States cannot be indefinitely detained by the military.

The Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011 is a response to a controversial provision passed Thursday as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, which could be interpreted to allow American citizens to be detained indefinitely without trial. Udall opposed that provision and fought to remove it from the authorization bill.

The Due Process Guarantee Act amends the Non-Detention Act of 1971 by providing that a congressional authorization for the use of military force does not authorize the indefinite detention – without charge or trial – of U.S. citizens. The bill also codifies a “clear-statement rule” that requires Congress to expressly authorize detention authority over U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. The protections are limited to those “apprehended in the United States” and exclude citizens who take up arms against the United States on a foreign battlefield, such as Afghanistan.

“There are American citizens who have collaborated with our enemies and participated in attacks against our soldiers and civilians; those traitors should be dealt with,” Udall said. “But even in our darkest hours, we must ensure that our Constitution prevails. We do ourselves a grave disservice by allowing for any citizen to be locked up indefinitely without trial – no matter how serious the charges against them. Our national security leadership has even said it could make us less safe. Especially given the provisions in the 2012 defense authorization bill, we must clarify that the law unequivocally does not allow the government to detain Americans indefinitely on U.S. soil without trial or charge. And that is the purpose behind this new legislation.”

The Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011 is also co-sponsored by senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.).

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Related: US Senate Roll Call Vote on Amendment 1107 Udall D-CO

Irony Abounds

Three cosponsors of the “Due Process Guarantee” voted against Senator Udall’s Amendment 1107 to NDAA. Mike Lee [R-UT], Jeanne Shaheen [D-NH], and Claire McCaskill [D-MO]. Does this mean they were against a due process guarantee before they were for it?

Related: NYT Review of Command of Office

Posted by Gypsy Chief

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political games continue in DC

Amazing Press Release from Senator Tom Udall [D-NM] today. I couldn’t make up anything half as good so I will quote for you. Please understand I generally support Senators Udall, Tom and his cousin Mark. Still spin is spin no matter where it comes from.

Dear Gypsy Chief

This week, the latest round of the filibuster fight came to a close. While we achieved steps in the right direction, the Senate lacked the will to enact the truly substantive reforms that we desired.

But as my Uncle Mo used to say, reform is not for the short-winded, and my commitment to making the Senate a more transparent and efficient body to better serve the American people is stronger than ever.

Your activism has successfully shaken up the institution in a way that hasn’t happened in more than 35 years. We HAVE put the Senate on notice that when our country calls out obstruction, it’s time we take a hard look at the way we do business here

Some Reforms Achieved

This press release goes on to describe some important baby steps toward real Senate reform.

• We’ve finally put an end to “secret holds” so now senators must be on the record opposing bills and nominees. This will help restore some accountability to the chamber so that senators are no longer able to block bills and nominees without facing the consequences of doing so.
• We’re reducing the number of Executive branch nominees that require confirmation so the President can appoint the best and brightest to government and fill empty posts without unnecessary delay in the Senate;
• We neutralized an important obstructionist tactic – forcing bills and amendments to be read in their entirety on the Senate floor;
• And finally, we sent a clear message that unprecedented gridlock is
  unacceptable, culminating in an agreement between leadership to make the Senate
  more deliberative than obstructive.

Let’s not kid ourselves folks. Baby steps are just that … baby steps. We cannot count on Washington to provide real leadership. But maybe just maybe next time a critical nomination may not be held up because a senator was afraid that south Georgia pigs and chickens would sue their owners

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Ready For Filibuster Reform?

Democrats in Congress are not known for their shrewd negotiating ability. We saw this when their attempt to repeal the Bush tax cuts for millionaires resulted in… those tax cuts being extended. We saw it when the stimulus, the health insurance bill, and any number of pieces of legislation were much weaker than they should have been.

With the conclusion of the fight to reform the filibuster less than two weeks away, we can’t afford to suffer another blow due to poor Democratic negotiation. That’s why Daily Kos and CREDO Action have created a petition telling both Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senator Charles Schumer, the top Democratic negotiator on filibuster reform, not to water down filibuster reform to win Republican votes.

Petition

Sign the petition here–we’ll deliver it to Senators Reid and Schumer: Strong Filibuster Reform

We’re close to making the filibuster a real filibuster, and to putting an end to Republican obstruction on judicial and executive branch nominations. Only 51 Senators are needed to make this happen. Already, 26 have become co-sponsors of our proposed reforms, including some of the most conservative members of the Democratic caucus. Last month, all 53 Senate Democrats signed a letter in favor of filibuster reform of some sort.

Even though we can get all the votes we need from Democrats alone, Senator Schumer is negotiating with Senate Republicans anyway. I know that sounds crazy, but rather than just slapping your hand against your forehead in response, take action. *Sign our petition to Senator Schumer and Reid-don’t water down filibuster reform:

http://www.credoaction.com/campaign/strong_filibuster_reform/

Recent history says they will listen to us on this one. Last week, when we made phone calls to Senator Schumer’s office about the filibuster reform package, we asked him to include measures that would speed up the nomination process. The measures we asked for weren’t in his original filibuster reform package, but they were the day after we made those calls.

Maybe it’s because we are the only people paying attention, or because we are bringing tens of thousands of supporters, but the Democratic leadership is listening to us this time. Let’s make sure they hear from us again. Tell Reid and Schumer: don’t water down filibuster reform to win Republican votes:

Keep fighting,
Chris Bowers
Campaign Director, Daily Kos

Photo Credit: Jeff Snow on Blogspot

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Ready For Filibuster Reform?

A quick filibuster reform update. From Greg Sargent at Plum Line Blog

With the internal debates among Senate Dems over filibuster reform moving very quickly on the Hill right now, some people seem worried about the fact that Harry Reid is reportedly seeking a delay on introducing reform, in order to negotiate with Mitch McConnell in pursuit of some kind of deal. This has folks nervous that Dem leaders will cave on real reform in the quest for compromise with the GOP.

But a key Dem Senator pushing reform tells me that this may be the wrong conclusion to draw. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, one of a number of leading young reformers, argues that this could actually be a positive — it could lead to a drawn out public debate that could increase organizing time and increase pressure for real action.

Daily Koz campaign after the jump.

Filibuster Reform Article

Daily Koz Campaign Keeps Reform Pressure On

A remarkable thing has happened on filibuster reform. Republicans are so scared Senate Democrats are going to pass real filibuster reform, they are begging the Democratic leadership to cut a deal.

Republicans never come begging for a deal. Usually, it’s the other way around. The reason it’s happening now is because your efforts resulted in all 53 Democratic Senators signing a letter demanding filibuster reform. Republicans know we have the votes, and are desperate for a way out.

We need to make sure that Senate Rules Committee Chair Chuck Schumer, who has been given responsibility for crafting the reform package, stands tall for real reform. He should not cut a deal with Republicans just to try and look “bipartisan.” Call the Rules Committee office right now and tell Senator Schumer just that:

*Senator Chuck Schumer: 202.224.6352* (Rules and Administration Committee number)

Say your name. Ask Chairman Schumer to pass reform that makes the filibuster real and clears the way for nominations. Tell him not to give away the store to Republicans.

We’ve come a long, long way on this campaign. Daily Kos has brought it all the way from the fringe, to the mainstream, to the brink of victory:

Among the reforms proposed Senators could no longer just make a phone call to start a filibuster. They would actually have to stand on the floor on the Senate ala Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes To Washington

I think filibuster reform is long overdue. It may happen this year because the GOP overplayed its hand. As Ezra Klein said recently: elections have consequences – so does obstructionism.

There may not be a quick decision. If you think filibuster reform is overdue keep informed. See Huffington Post: Rules Delay

Image Credit: Jeff Snow

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A message from EMILY’s List

Dear Gypsy Chief and all of your readers,

I’ll be honest: I’ve had it up to here with all these articles implying the
election has already been decided. You know what decides elections? You. Yes, you — and like-minded volunteers who can help protect advocates like Barbara Boxer and Patty Murray and stop a GOP takeover — just by making calls from home! An hour of your time can help make history.

These numbers will knock your socks off: our Team EMILY volunteers phone-banked for Sens. Barbara Boxer and Patty Murray, calling Democratic women voters who don’t always turn out in midterm elections. We made 77,748 calls and nearly 70% of the folks we reached pledged to vote in 2010!

See what I mean? This election isn’t over — sorry, pundits! Not when we have people like you, who can make such a difference for EMILY’s List candidates with a little bit of time, making contact with women who crave some solid information and need a little push to get out and vote.

Can you volunteer one hour of your time to reach 40 women who otherwise might not turn out for the election? Just one hour can make a difference — sign up to volunteer right now!

Click to Volunteer One Hour to Reach 40 Voters

Here’s one thing the press has gotten right: women are going to decide this election. But it all depends on whether we get to the polls — and that’s where you come in. You can get those crucial swing voters to the polls simply by reaching out to them with a phone call made from your home. Remember: just one hour for 40 voters — this is how we win. Will you join us?

Thanks for everything you do.

Best,

Denise Feriozzi

WOMEN VOTE! Director

Posted by Gypsy Chief

Outside a debate between candidates for the Senate in Kentucky, Rand Paul (R) and Jack Conway (D), a gang of apparent supporters of Tea Party favorite Rand Paul brutally assaulted a woman representing the progressive organization MoveOn.org. The progressive activist was seized by Paul supporters, thrown to the ground, beaten and kicked; at least one Paul supporter is shown on video stomping on her neck and head with violent force.

Southern Hospitality

From The Washington Monthly Details of Assault in Kentucky Come Together

KY Stomper Wants An Apology

Tim Profitt, former Bourbon County Coordinator for Rand Paul Senate campaign, wants an apology from the 23 year old female activist he curb stomped. Good luck with that. Here is an update from Talking Points Memo Stomper Interviewed on WKYT, Wants Apology

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See she is not a witch. We expect similar announcements from Holly Marie Combs and Aylssa Milano They were, after all only pretending to be witches. More problematic would be a similar announcement from Shannen Doherty who really does seem to be witchlike.

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Various commentators report that Buck’s performance was shaky. Stay tuned.

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This is going viral.

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Democracy in America

Interesting story on Politics Daily today.

Senator Orrin Hatch [R-UT] has just announced support for the Park 51 project aka Ground Zero Mosque. See the story here .

What interests me about this story is the multiple comments following. The most hilarious comment was … if you don’t live in New York then your opinion on whether the project should be built does not count.

My Take

People who think this way should be required to read Alexis de Tocqueville on the tyranny of the majority.

Original source material for the Politics Daily story was an interview with KSTU-TV Salt Lake City. See the Sen. Hatch interview and note that KSTU has provided the raw video as well. Good. I think Senator Hatch is a credible witness since as he mentions Mormons constitute an unpopular minority at times.

Posted by Gypsy Chief