UPDATE: The bill failed in the Senate today by a cloture vote of 56-43. More details are here. Details on how each Senator voted are here. Supporters of the attempt to restore habeas corpus are still asking citizens to contact their Senators.

Sens. Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), have introduced an amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization bill that would restore habeas corpus -- the right of people detained by the US to appear before a judge and demand proof that they have been lawfully arrested. That right, enshrined in the US Constitution, was vacated by passage of the Military Commissions Act of 2006. Dodd and Leahy are asking voters to support the bill now, to stop an expected Republican filibuster. Bloggers are doing what they can to whip up support.

You can sign up to be a "citizen co-sponsor" through the website the Senators have created: Restore Habeas.

Christy at Firedoglake has some toll-free numbers you can call:

1 (800) 828 - 0498
1 (800) 459 - 1887
1 (800) 614 - 2803
1 (866) 340 - 9281
1 (866) 338 - 1015
1 (877) 851 - 6437

and she adds

"Word is that Sen. Lindsey Graham has threatened to mount a filibuster of this bill — nice way to stand up for basic human rights, there, Huckleberry — so it is essential that your Senators hear from you today. Cloture has been filed on the Amendment — so we need 60 votes to move it forward. "

Side Effects May Vary points out:

"You don’t have to support the bill, but know that as it stands right now it is possible for you to be arrested (yes you Mr./Mrs. US Citizen!), sent to Guantanamo, and held indefinitely without access to a lawyer or judge, merely by being labeled an “enemy combatant” in this 'war on terror.'"

And here's Digby:

"This is so important. I'm not sure this country can hope to regain its footing or protect ourselves properly in this new age unless we erase that horrible blemish of the Military Commissions Act."

Taylor Marsh says this should be a no-brainer:

"These senators need a push, though why United States senators don't understand the importance of habeas corpus to the very ideals of America is beyond me. That's how far Congress has fallen."

Back in 2004, pollsters for the Pew Center found that most Americans believed we could combat terrorism without giving up our basic freedoms. Nat Hentoff says we don't understand the degree to which our civil liberties have already been eroded over the last six years. At last there's a chance to begin restoring the balance. But that chance will slip away if citizens don't act now.