Subject: Urgent action needed on warrantless spying bills

The deadline is two days from now, Thursday, May 22, 2008. If, by that date, we can prevent Congress from giving the President expanded powers to spy on American citizens, then we're likely to have won a long lasting victory.

But if we fail, the damage to the Bill of Rights may also be long lasting. And there's a new danger afoot . . .

In February the Senate passed a bill that . . .

* Gave the President warrantless spying powers

* Gave the telecom companies immunity for their past illegal spying

Bad as it is, this Senate bill hasn't been a real threat before, because our coalition persuaded the House leadership to oppose it. Now, however, the House Republicans are close to having enough sponsors for something called a discharge petition. This would allow the Senate bill to be brought to a vote in the House, no matter what the House leadership wants.

The Republicans currently have 190 sponsors for the discharge petition. They need 218. If they can find 28 more sponsors then they can bring the bill to a vote, and it may pass, unless we stop it.

The Republicans have a potential source of those 28 additional sponsors -- the Blue Dog Democrats. The Blue Dog's are conservative Democracts from conservative districts. They often vote with the Republicans. That can be good on some issues, but it's terrible on this one.

What's worse is that radio spots and local media campaigns have been launched in the Blue Dog districts. The message is, if they don't sign the discharge petition, they're soft on terrorism and Nancy Pelosi "lap dogs."

We need to urge the Blue Dog Democrats to stick with their fellow Democrats on this issue, by NOT signing the discharge petition. Time is short. And, as you can see, the push is on. So we need to do two things RIGHT NOW . . .

* First, send your elected Representatives a message telling them you oppose warrantless spying and immunity for the telecom companies. If you've done this recently, do it again. You can do so here.

* Second, if you're represented by a Blue Dog Democrat, ALSO call him or her and deliver the same message. Please be sure to tell them that you do NOT want him or her to sign the discharge petition for the Senate FISA revision bill. Here's the list of names and numbers for the House Blue Dogs . . .

Joe Baca (California) 202-225-6161

John Barrow (Georgia) 202-225-2823

Melissa Bean (Illinois) 202-225-3711

Marion Berry (Arkansas) 202-225-4076

Dan Boren (Oklahoma) 202-225-2701

Leonard Boswell (Iowa) 202-225-3806

Allen Boyd (Florida) 202-225-5235

Christopher Carney (Pennsylvania) 202-225-3731

Jim Cooper (Tennessee) 202-225-4311

Bud Cramer (Alabama) 202-225-4801

Lincoln Davis(Tennessee) 202-225-6831

Brad Ellsworth (Indiana) 202-225-4636

Tim Holden (Pennsylvania) 202-225-5546

Jim Matheson (Utah) 202-225-3011

Charlie Melancon (Louisiana) 202-225-4031

Dennis Moore (Kansas) 202-225-2865

Earl Pomeroy (North Dakota) 202-225-2611

Mike Ross (Arkansas) 202-225-3772

Heath Shuler (North Carolina) 202-225-6401

Zack Space (Ohio) 202-225-6265

John Tanner (Tennessee) 202-225-4714

Victory is near. Let's go the extra mile. Please send a message.

And if your Rep is on the list above, please make a call -- because it will make a difference.

Thank you for being a part of the growing Downsize DC Army.

Jim Babka

President

DownsizeDC.org, Inc.

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