Posted by Jesse Benton on 06/11/09 9:24 PM   [Newer: Mousavi, Celebrated in Iranian Protests, Was the Butcher of Beirut] [Older: H.R. 1207 Passes 218 Co-sponsors]

After we broke through the 218 cosponsor threshold on H.R. 1207, I didn't think today could get any better. However, we have even more news.

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) today became the first cosponsor of S 604, H.R. 1207's companion legislation. We still have a long way to go before we pass real legislation to Audit the Fed, but this is yet another major step toward our ultimate goal.

Sen. DeMint is highly respected and one of the most principled conservatives in Washington.  Bernie Sanders (I-VT), 604's lead sponsor, is a firebrand Independent progressive. To see these two guys on a bill together has to tell you that something special is going on.

Posted 06/11/09 9:34 PM BruceKoerber Cedar Rapids, IA

Money and Ethics Thursday, June 11, 2009 Are The U.S. Senators Slaves Of The Federal Reserve? The unConstitutional coup will now have to take the risk of being blatant with their coercion and bribes of Senators as an act of desperation. Who are the Senators who have the dignity to expose the secret tactics applied by the unConstitutional coup? As these are brought into the open even the most corrupt Senators will be hesitant to appear to be an enemy of the people in favor of the economic terrorists. Even if initially there are no Senators who are independent of the unConstitutional coup there will be a few who will take that path when they realize that they are being scrutinized. Let your Senators know that you are watching them very closely and will not tolerate a corrupt alliance with the money counterfeiters.

Posted 06/11/09 9:49 PM atlas shrugged Flanagan, IL

But it's also a good idea to be both polite and respectful... even if they don't deserve your respect! Deborah Halvorson of IL co-signed HR 1207, and she said the politeness of the C4L members who met her was a big plus.

Posted 06/11/09 10:12 PM Tom Leser Melbourne, FL

Woohoo!! He's my new favorite Senator (didn't have one before!). I'd imagine Sen. Tom Coburn of OK would be likely to follow?!?!? Go get'm Sooners!!

Posted 06/11/09 10:20 PM Fozz Cockeysville, MD

You should go to youtube and listen to Jim Demint. He has great respect for freedom, and at times he sounds a lot like Ron Paul. I really am not surprised that Demint is the first cosponsor of S604.

Posted 06/11/09 10:22 PM Fozz Cockeysville, MD

Jim Demint is very impressive here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-O1e6fqk-0

Posted 06/11/09 10:26 PM JimMN Eden Prairie, MN

Hehe, I still only have one Senator, and she's a Democrat. Oh well, maybe I'll email her anyway and say it will look good to get on this early.

Posted 06/11/09 10:52 PM Isabella 8 New York, NY

I had thought that S 604 had two cosponsors, which included Senator Feingold. But I just learned that Senator Sanders sponsored two central bank bills: The Federal Reserve Sunshine Act (S 604) a near identical version of HR 1207 and The Federal Reserve Transparency Act (S 513) which calls for public disclosure of assistance provided to entities after March 2008. Good to know.

Posted 06/11/09 11:07 PM Scott D Chicago, IL

Exciting News! Feels great to know those Saturday morning petition drives are paying off. Thanks for posting!

Posted 06/11/09 11:20 PM Taika Bardstown, KY

Senator DeMint gets a 79% Constitutional voting rating in The New American's Freedom Index. This makes him the 2nd highest congressman after Ron Paul's 100%! Congratulations Senator DeMint - your courage has been noted, and your record as well. Keep up the great work!

Posted 06/11/09 11:23 PM BBLiberty Pekin, IL

Good News! We have been collecting signatures for Senator Durbin. This will be a challenge, but it motivates me even more. Support for these bills has been a true grassroots effort ;-)

Posted 06/11/09 11:30 PM TomatoMan Ridgecrest, CA

South Carolina just moved up on my "places to live" list.

Posted 06/11/09 11:50 PM marketingdude university place, WA

Sen. DeMint and Gov. Sanford of SC. Nice.

Posted 06/12/09 05:11 AM Champion Of Liberty Pembroke Pines, FL

What are you guys sending to your Senators about S 604?

Posted 06/12/09 06:05 AM Son Of Liberty Erie, PA

Be polite! Be determined!

Posted 06/12/09 06:47 AM sheldonwaxman South Haven, MI

I'm beginning to get suspicious of this audit the fed stuff. What bothers me is what does it mean to obtain an audit of the Fed's assets? How does that make us free?? It is still the Fed and it still does the Fed's business which creates artificial booms and bust. They call it the "business cycle".

Posted 06/12/09 07:25 AM SCButterfly Pacolet Mills, SC

That's my senator! Love him, love him, love him!! :)

Posted 06/12/09 07:37 AM CelticPaladin Lexington, KY

SheldonWaxman, this is just the first small step. To take down a mountain, you begin by taking away small stones. The Federal Reserve has used privacy to it's advantage, and if this bill passes we'll be able to see what it does out in the open. Hopefully once we know how they operate, we can begin to decide how to best go about eliminating the institution.

Posted 06/12/09 08:46 AM MountainDoc Lewisburg, WV

Think of it like putting a vampire in front of a large mirror. What moments before looked liked a good dancer is revealed to be a demon for all to see.

Posted 06/12/09 09:15 AM BrandonHendricks Meraux, LA

SC would have been an even better place to live if Conley could have beat Graham last November. Conley probably would have sponsored the bill before Sanders.

Posted 06/12/09 09:20 AM adrock Tucson, AZ

Great news! I just emailed my Senators (McCain and Kyl) about S 604.

Posted 06/12/09 09:52 AM ghendric Burlington, KY

I get nervous whenever I hear that a "progressive" is on a "good" bill.. I think we should watch our backs on this one..

Posted 06/12/09 10:13 AM shelly Cambridge, MD

If anyone's interested, we're having an S 604 call-a-thon here: http://www.breakthematrix.com/node/36442 Current Targets: Kay Hutchison (R - TX) 202-224-5922 (on the Senate Banking Committee) Robert Bennett (R - UT) (202) 224-5444 (on the Senate Banking Committee)

Posted 06/12/09 7:34 PM Arizona PC Apache Junction, AZ

GREAT! I just sent this letter to my Conservative Senator, Jon Kyl. My other Senator, of course is John McCain. He's so bought and paid for, I don't have the $100,000 check to include with my letter so why bother? Senator Kyl, Please support S.604: Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009. Yesterday, June 11, your esteemed colleague Senator Jim DeMint, cosponsored this bill designed to require a GAO audit of the Federal Reserve. This will put sunshine on their activities relating to TARP and who knows what else regarding activities with international Central Banks, forced mergers, bank bailouts and asset valuations. It is a powerful thing to be handed the economy of the most powerful nation on Earth along with unlimited emergency powers with no oversight or reporting necessary. Add to the mix that you are private bankers with the ability to earn profits and interest (12 member banks) and your ranks are full of corporate bank executives, and one could say you own the world. I expect that they do not own you though Senator Kyl. Senator DeMint is very highly regarded in Conservative voting circles. He scored a 90 on The New American Freedom Index. We are very proud to have you, our own Senator, score in second place with 80. Please consider his support of this bill to be a strong endorsement of its merit. Looking forward to your co-sponsorship of S. 604: Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009. Sincerely, x

Posted 06/12/09 11:05 PM robotsworld Long Island City, NY

Is anyone familiar with H.R. 833 "FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD ABOLITION ACT" by Sen. Bill Nelson Dem. from FL To abolish the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal reserve banks, to repeal the Federal Reserve Act, and for other purposes.

Posted 06/13/09 08:22 AM Glenn Cumming, GA

I will not be surprised if GA Senators Shameless and IShouldBeSackedSoon vote Nay. These two will not want anything that interferes with the warfare state to pass. I'll write them anyway and hope to be pleasantly surprised. robotsworld, here's the link on govtrack: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-833

Posted 06/13/09 5:28 PM cfox189 Princeton, NJ

I need help pressuring Thune: Dear Charles: Thank you for contacting me about the Federal Reserve Bank. I appreciate hearing from you. In 1913, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Reserve Act and established the Federal Reserve System. The intent of Congress in shaping the Federal Reserve Act was to keep politics out of monetary policy, while fulfilling its constitutional responsibility to provide a safe and stable monetary system. Congress can amend the Federal Reserve Act at any time. As you may know, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on February 26, 2009. If enacted, this bill would require the Comptroller General to audit the Federal Reserve banks and then report this information to Congress. This bill is currently waiting consideration by the House Financial Services Committee. The Federal Reserve Bank, which conducts our nation's monetary policy, is considered an independent entity within the federal government. Although its day-to-day decisions do not need to be ratified by the legislative or executive branch, it must follow the objectives of economic and financial policy established by Congress. You may be interested to know that the Government Accountability Office is currently able to audit many functions of the Federal Reserve. For the functions it is not able to audit, Congress maintains direct oversight authority through periodical reviews and may alter its responsibilities by statute. Furthermore, all excess funds derived from various policy actions and services performed by the Federal Reserve are returned to the United States Treasury. The Federal Reserve Act has been amended several times over the past decades to adjust to evolving economic and financial forces. As Congress continues its work, I will be sure to keep your concerns in mind. If you would like additional information on my activities in the Senate, please feel free to visit my website, http://thune.senate.gov. Thanks again for contacting me. Please keep in touch. Kindest regards, JOHN THUNE United States Senator