solarbird | Liveblogging final FISA vote: And they're back

The Senate is back in session; they're currently doing a roll-call vote on a procedural matter regarding the new FISA bill (to authorise 3rd reading); this will pass, then they'll move to the final, formal vote. Watch here for updates. Procedural vote passes for third reading of bill, 72-26.

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Jay Rockefeller (D-WVA): We worked aggressively to get the Senate to move to the House of Representative position; commends Rep. Pelosi's active work for the FISA act and retroactive immunity and getting it passed in the House. "I think this is a historic bill; it has the particular virture... that the next President of the United States will get a chance to review the bill and see if any changes need to be made..." urges support.

Final vote on FISA bill (HR 6304) in progress. Roll call in progress. Majority Leader Senator Reid just cast his ceremonial "no" vote, just like last time - insure passage, then vote "no" so you can lie to your constituents and pretend you were against it. The vote's not over but my count shows a veto-proof majority; final tally still to come. HR 6304 (FISA) passes with a veto-proof majority, 69-28.

So what's left? Not much. Since they passed the House bill unchanged as far as I know, there's no conference committee process; I think it just goes now to Mr. Bush for a signature. I'll expect a signature soon, and we'll see what Mr. Bush decides to add in and take away in the signing statement, if anything. Maybe, having gotten more than he even asked, he'll just sign it. But I rather suspect we'll see some language about "interpreting" in the light of "the Constitution's Article II," which will mean "I'll ignore these parts." Chief amoungst these, if present, would be to throw exclusivity out the window again.

ETA: Rasmussen Reports polling gives Congress a NINE PERCENT APPROVAL RATING. Single digits, baby! Independents give it a 3% approval (good or excellent) rating. (Republicans 8%, Democrats 13%, the latter a sharp decline from the month before.) Can they hit zero? They're already within margin of error of 0% approval amoungst independent voters now. Awesome.