The House went into a secret session tonight for only the fifth time since 1825. Minority Whip Roy Blunt insisted on this so he could share some information about FISA that is known to the Intelligence and (probably) Judiciary Committees, but not to the rank and file members. Here’s what Steny Hoyer had to say when this closed meeting was over.
Majority Leader Hoyer’s Statement After House Holds Secret Session
WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD) released the following statement tonight after the House held a secret session to discuss information relevant to the debate on legislation to modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA):
“I did not hear any new information tonight that dissuades me from my very strong belief that the FISA bill House Democrats have produced – and which the House will vote on tomorrow – is a reasonable, thoughtful, appropriate piece of legislation that will ensure that the intelligence community has all the tools it needs to protect our nation, while also respecting the Constitutional protections that Americans rightfully feel are so important. Tomorrow, I will urge members on both sides of the aisle to vote for this legislation.”
The House will debate and vote on the House FISA bill tomorrow. With Hoyer arguing for passage of a bill that does not include retroactive immunity, there is precious little political cover for Bush Dog Democrats to sell out our 4th Amendment rights. No doubt, outlets like the Moonie Times are doing their part:
Meanwhile, House Democrats leaked to the New York Times the outlines of a new proposal that denies retroactive immunity to the telecommunications firms. Rather than bar lawsuits against companies for doing their patriotic duty by helping the U.S. government prevent terrorist attacks, the Pelosi plan would ensure that they remain vulnerable to new litigation: House Democrats would create a bipartisan congressional commission with subpoena power to issue a report on U.S. terrorist surveillance programs. They would leave the issue of immunity to the federal courts — ensuring that it becomes the subject of protracted litigation that could go on for years.
Tomorrow, the speaker plans to send the House on another vacation — this one for two weeks. Her motto seems to be: It ain’t over until the terrorists and trial lawyers win.
Fortunately, the Democratic leadership in the House seems to be totally unimpressed with those talking points.
Q: “Are you saying the President is lying?”
A: Speaker Pelosi: “That’s the same question I got in 2001 when they asked me when I said ‘the intelligence on Iraq does not support the threat, of an imminent threat, to our country’ that the Administration is contending…I said then, and I say now, I am stating a fact. The President is wrong and he knows it.”
Nevertheless, there are 21 Bush Dog Democrats that sent a letter advocating retroactive community. Here they are:
Rep. Leonard L. Boswell, D-Iowa — Phone: (202) 225-3806, Fax: (202) 225-5608 Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark. — Phone: (202) 225-4076, Fax: (202) 225-5602 Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark. — Phone: (202) 225-3772, Fax: (202) 225-1314 Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D. — Phone: (202) 225-2611, Fax: (202) 226-0893 Rep. Robert E. “Bud” Cramer, D-Ala. — Phone: (202) 225-4801, Fax: (202) 225-4392 Rep. Melissa Bean, D-Ill. — Phone: (202) 225-3711, Fax: (202) 225-7830 Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C. — Phone: (202) 225-6401, Fax: (202) 226-6422 Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga. — Phone: (202) 225-2823, Fax: (202) 225-3377 Rep. Allen Boyd, D-Fla. — Phone: (202) 225-5235, Fax: (202) 225-5615 Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif. — Phone: (202) 225-6161, Fax: (202) 225-8671 Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla. — Phone: (202) 225-2701, Fax: (202) 225-3038 Rep. John Tanner, D-Tenn. — Phone: (202) 225-4714, Fax: (202) 225-1765 Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah — Phone: (202) 225-3011, Fax: (202) 225-5638 Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn. — Phone: (202) 225-4311, Fax: (202) 226-1035 Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn. — Phone: (202) 225-6831, Fax: (202) 226-5172 Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-Ind. — Phone: (202) 225-4636, Fax: (202) 225-3284 Rep. Tim Holden, D-Pa. — Phone: (202) 225-5546, Fax: (202) 226-0996 Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-La. — Phone: (202) 225-4031, Fax: (202) 226-3944 Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Kan. — Phone: (202) 225-2865, Fax: (202) 225-2807 Rep. Christopher Carney, D-Pa. — Phone: (202) 225-3731, Fax: (202) 225-9594 Rep. Zack Space, D-Ohio — Phone: (202) 225-6265, Fax: (202) 225-3394
Lest you think there is no point in contacting them, they may be wavering.
House Democratic leaders said Tuesday they expect a new electronic surveillance overhaul bill that bucks the White House’s wishes to pass when it hits the floor Thursday.
“I feel very confident,” said House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn , D-S.C., who added that he has spoken to many conservative Blue Dog Democrats, 21 of whom have endorsed competing Senate legislation backed by the Bush administration. “There’s great support among members for this legislation.”
So, hit the phones tomorrow and let these Bush Dogs know that Rep. Al Wynn won’t be last Democrat to get ousted in a primary for forgetting that he serves people, not corporations.
