Scout...again I would remind you that that the Dems have only been in control for 2 months. It is very difficult to "fast track" legislation, particularly in the Senate where the Repubs can block any bill with a fillibuster.
Amending my earlier post, this Congress has done more to overturn the Military Commissions Act than just restore habeas. And they have acted in other areas as well to restore civil liberties .
The Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007 to overhaul a number of provisions from the Military Commissions Act.
* It restores habeas corpus,
* Narrows the definition of enemy combatant,
* Restricts the government from conducting torture and from using torture to compel testimony that can be used in court,
* Makes it clear the U.S. government must abide by the Geneva Conventions,
* Ensures that regardless of rank, no U.S. personnel can commit torture without consequences
The Congressional Lawmaking Authority Protection Act of 2007 which addresses the arguably overused executive practice of issuing an extraordinary number of signing statements, exerting presidential authority over bills passed Congress
A Resolution Reaffirming the Constitutional and Statutory Protections Accorded Sealed Domestic Mail, and for Other Purposes
The Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 2007 and the Open Government Act of 2007
The NSA Oversight Act to address the means by which domestic electronic surveillance may be conducted.
Repealing Title II of REAL ID Act and adding important safeguards regarding privacy and civil liberties.
and more: http://www.bordc.org/threats/legislation/
The most positive development is that many of these bills have bi-partisan co-sponsors.
Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing (yes, hearings are a necessary step in the legislative process and not a waste of money)
to determine if the Patriot Act needs to be revised to keep the FBI from illegally or improperly gathering telephone, e-mail and financial records of Americans and foreigners while pursuing terrorists. (
link)
So I would suggest....give the system a chance to work.