(Promoted by Susan.)
The Poltico is reporting that the House will not vote on an electronic surveillance bill this week, and that telcom amnesty is a major sticking point:
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer said Wednesday the House will not take up an electronic surveillance measure this week, further delaying any decisions on the controversial measure.
Hoyer said in his weekly press conference that he hoped to wrap up work on an update to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act; "towards the end of this week or the beginning of next week."
However, the majority leader acknowledged that there were "still disagreements" within the Democratic caucus over the issue of granting immunity to telecom companies who aided the government in the wiretapping program.
Does this mean we still have a chance to stop this?
If there is still dissension in the ranks, then that means we can still sway the House to do the right thing.
Here is what gives me hope:
Although Democratic leaders insist they are working feverishly to iron out their differences, one House member—speaking on the condition of anonymity—suggested it could be a long time, if ever, before the bill was brought for a vote.
"A lot of people think the politics of doing nothing on this issue are very good for both sides of the political spectrum," they said.
All we need in order to win on FISA is for the House to do nothing. No vote means "compromises," no immunity, no unfettered governmental spying on its citizens.
I think this is our chance.
- Call your reps, and call Hoyer, Pelosi, and Reyes.
- Sign the ACLU petition.
- Support the good guys. Reward the freshmen House Dems who are doing the right thing: ActBlue FightFISA, or Russ Feingold's Progressive Patriots Fund
UPDATE: Congressional contact page