Thu 3 Nov 2005
Congresswoman Jean Schmidt joined 182 members in Congress in voting against H.R.1605, the Online Freedom of Speech Act. Beltway Blogroll has some details, including the fact that the legislation isn’t dead yet.
Interesting enough Speaker Hastert blogged in favor of the legislation.
We’ll see if the legislation returns before the FEC does some major damage. My bet is no. Not that that will stop Congressmen from taking credit for it anyway. Personally, I’m not impressed with politicians bragging about votes for things that don’t pass. The halls of Congress are littered with fallen heros taking credit for legislation they knew would never pass. Remember sports fans… all that matters is the bottom of the net.
ADDED: Krempasky wonders what happened in Ohio. I could make a guess or two but I’ll leave that up to the imaginations of my gentle readers.
UPDATE: DKos has a good overview. Hotline On Call has a short profile of Marty Meehan: A Democrat Who Gets Things Done. See… it is possible for Democrats to accomplish something.
November 3rd, 2005 at 2:01 pm
It’s not just Schmidt, who of course voted against the bill.
Ralph Regula had a real tough time with the Internet in 2004–I’m sure that was in the back of his mind as well.
Steve LaTourette has been the subject of quite a few articles as well concerning the fact that he dumped his wife over the phone after literally jumping into bed with a Washington Lobbyist.
Tim
November 3rd, 2005 at 2:49 pm
Schmidt wants HR 1605 improved, passed
A couple of blogs are reporting that Congresswoman Jean Schmidt voted against HR 1605, the Online Freedom of Speech Act. That is somewhat misleading.
… If the current problems are addressed and corrected, thus strengthening the bill, Congresswoman…
November 3rd, 2005 at 9:21 pm
BTW- Ted Strickland voted for the bill, so did Sherrod Brown.
Nice to see some buyer’s remorse with the Schmidt cyber-crowd already.
November 4th, 2005 at 2:38 am
Schmidt doesn’t oppose the Online Freedom of Speech Act’s intent, she feels it doesn’t yet do enough.
She voted against suspending the rules to bring it to the floor because she felt it needed improved before passage.
Schmidt supports an amendment to keep the bill from opening loopholes for special interest groups, and hopes to be able to vote for the bill after it is improved.