Now that everyone’s obsessed with the Presidential races, Congress has more time to pass legislation that bothers their constituents without anybody noticing. Today, the Senate passed the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act modernization bill — the one Bush mentioned in his State of the Union that had to get done before the old extension expired. Democrats have been “fighting” with Bush to keep a provision out of the bill that would provide immunity to phone companies that complied with the illegal warrantless wiretapping program and are facing lawsuits. Well, now that no one is actually paying attention to what Congress does because they’re all Barry! The Hills is alive! McCain! Huckatheocracy!, the Senate passed its version of the legislation providing that self-same immunity by a 69 to 29 vote and they’re fully expecting/demanding that the House do the same really soon before the program expires and The Terrorists Win.

The bill also extends the Administration’s power to monitor communications abroad (note: not just the communications of non-Americans) without having to bother with those peksy warrant things and keeps the rest of the warrantless wiretapping program that Congress enacted last year in place as is.

But, to take a page from our exalted government’s book, please allow us to distract you from the news that Congress is busily eroding your civil rights and legal alternatives, by providing you with the picture below. Please forget everything you’ve read up to this point and focus on the shirtless guy with the puppy. The loss of your rights never felt so gosh-darn cuddly.

Senate Protects Telecom Immunity in Spy Bill [Washington Post]
Senate Moves to Shield Phone Companies on Eavesdropping [NY Times]