They Voted For You: FISA

U.S. Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, both D-W.Va., split their votes Tuesday on the "FISA Amendments Act of 2007."

Byrd opposed the measure, "An original bill to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, to modernize and streamline the provisions of that Act, and for other purposes."

Rockefeller helped pass it on a 68-29 vote.

The two were similarly divided on an amendment that aimed "to strike the provisions providing immunity from civil liability to electronic communication service providers for certain assistance provided to the Government."

It was defeated 31-67, with Byrd supporting the amendment and Rockefeller voting nay.

As The Associated Press explains, "protection for the telecom companies is the most prominent feature of the legislation, something President Bush had insisted on as essential to getting private sector cooperation in spying on foreign terrorists and other targets. The bill would give retroactive protection to companies that acted without court permission."