A Contingent of Bedwetters

The following senators voted not to invoke cloture on S.Amdt. 2022 to S.Amdt. 2011 to H.R. 1585 (National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008), which would have restored habeas corpus for those detained by the United States. Those up for and seeking reelection are in bold.

NAYs —43

Alexander (R-TN), Allard (R-CO) retiring, Barrasso (R-WY), Bennett (R-UT), Bond (R-MO), Brownback (R-KS), Bunning (R-KY), Burr (R-NC), Coburn (R-OK), Cochran (R-MS), Coleman (R-MN), Collins (R-ME), Corker (R-TN), Cornyn (R-TX), Craig (R-ID) retiring, Crapo (R-ID), DeMint (R-SC), Dole (R-NC), Domenici (R-NM), Ensign (R-NV), Enzi (R-WY), Graham (R-SC), Grassley (R-IA), Gregg (R-NH), Hatch (R-UT), Hutchison (R-TX), Inhofe (R-OK), Isakson (R-GA), Kyl (R-AZ), Lieberman (ID-CT), Lott (R-MS), Martinez (R-FL), McCain (R-AZ), McConnell (R-KY), Murkowski (R-AK), Roberts (R-KS), Sessions (R-AL), Shelby (R-AL), Stevens (R-AK), Thune (R-SD), Vitter (R-LA), Voinovich (R-OH), Warner (R-VA), retiring

Not Voting – 1
Chambliss (R-GA)

This is probably the most shameful vote of the year. Maybe there is some kind of residual civil war split between the south and the north, although I find it confusing. It was, after all, southerners that were the victims of Abraham Lincoln’s decision to suspend habeas corpus. You’d think they might be a little more sensitive. And what happened to the great independent libertarian streak of the Mountain West and Southwest GOP?

One thing is certain. Collins and Coleman stick out like geographical sore thumbs. This vote will do untold damage to their political careers.

Author: BooMan

Martin Longman a contributing editor at the Washington Monthly. He is also the founder of Booman Tribune and Progress Pond. He has a degree in philosophy from Western Michigan University.