Earlier this year the House of Representatives -- thanks in large part to pressure from the grassroots and the netroots -- stood strong and refused to pass the Senate version of "FISA reform." The Senate's version, you'll recall, removed effective judicial oversight from White House wiretapping programs, and also granted retroactive immunity to the big telecom companies that are alleged to have assisted the Bush administration in the illegal wiretapping of American citizens.Our allies at the American Civil Liberties Union are now reporting that some high-ranking members in the House -- including Majority Leader Steny Hoyer -- are working behind closed doors with the Bush administration and conservatives in Congress to negotiate a compromise bill. Apparently, they're considering caving in and handing over everything the President has demanded: expanded surveillance powers, and a "get out of jail free" card for big phone companies that broke the law.
House leadership must not buckle to pressure from the White House and its allies at all costs. House leadership -- and every representative -- should reject any compromise that would undo the battles we fought so hard to win in February.
Please send a message to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi using the form at right and ask her to refuse any such "compromise" legislation. With less than a year remaining in his disastrous presidency, now is not the time to cave in to Bush and his allies.
You can send a message to House Democratic leaders on this issue via a form here.
7 May 2008
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