Michelle links to stories from both NAM and Dow Jones on the FISA amendment being pushed by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) that would remove immunities for telecom companies cooperating with the Feds. American national security won.

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- The U.S. Senate Tuesday voted down an amendment to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that aimed to strip out immunity for telecommunications companies alleged to have cooperated with the government’s warrantless wiretapping program.

The result of the vote makes it increasingly likely that phone companies will receive retroactive immunity from civil lawsuits over their involvement in the controversial wiretapping program.

Carter Wood at NAM writes:

The Senate has just rejected an amendment to S. 2248, the FISA amendments legislation, by Sens. Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Russell Feingold (D-WI) that would have stripped out the retroactive immunity for telecommunication companies.

The vote was 31-67. Roll Call vote here.

This is a clear statement in favor of effective, legal surveillance of suspected terrorists overseas, and an endorsement of good corporate citizens aiding in the protection of Americans. A very important vote.

UPDATE (11:37 a.m.) A poster at the Daily Kos website, with which we disagree, is liveblogging the debate.

UPDATE (11:46 a.m.) The AP story.

UPDATE (12:13 p.m.) Second string of Kos commentary here. Quotes e-mail from Senator Reid’s office: “If, as appears likely, none of the amendments to strike or modify the provisions of the bill concerning retroactive immunity are adopted, we expect Sen. Reid to oppose cloture and oppose final passage of the bill.”

UPDATE (12:34 p.m.): Cloture invoked, 69-29. Senate now breaks.