UPDATE: Visit CourageCampaign.org/censurethesenator to join in the action to hold Senator Feinstein accountable for her pro-Bush votes.

Details are still emerging, but tonight it is clear that a powerful coalition of Californian groups intends to hold their Democratic Senator, Dianne Feinstein, accountable for her vote to enable Bush’s torture policy.

Senator Feinstein voted last week to confirm Bush’s nominee for Attorney General, Michael Mukasey. During his meeting with Senator Feinstein and the Judiciary Committee, Mukasey would not state the obvious fact that drowning torture (also known as “waterboarding”) is illegal. Feinstein voted to approve him anyway.

Feinstein has also voted with Bush on controversial federal judge appointments. She also voted for the Iraq War resolution despite huge protests against the war in her home state. Her constituents have clearly had enough, and they are now moving to hold her to account.

News of a constituent movement to censure Senator Feinstein is particularly fitting news for Veterans Day, when every effort must be made to protect America’s fighting women and men from harm. Bush’s torture policy places our soldiers directly in the line of fire — the only protection that Americans have against torture is the Geneva Conventions. Bush’s refusal to stop the use of drowning torture is a clear violation of Geneva.

More details on the actions planned by the coalition of concerned Californians coming soon.