In a wide-ranging interview, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey shared her views about many current issues facing Congress including attempts to reinstate Congressional oversight of the Bush administration's surveillance programs, the unpopular military occupation of Iraq, the ongoing fight over Congressional subpoenas and the prospect of impeachment proceedings.

Serving her eighth term as congresswoman for the Sixth District of California, Woolsey represents Marin and Sonoma Counties. Woolsey is the co-chair, along with Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-California), of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC). (The CPC platform can be viewed here.)

Woolsey was the first representative to call for an end to the Iraq occupation. Along with fellow co-chair of the CPC, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and chairwoman of the Out of Iraq Caucus, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-California), Woolsey has been at the forefront of the anti-war activity in the House of Representatives. Woolsey affectionately referred to Lee, Waters, and herself as "the Triad".

The CPC recently released a national poll, which asked respondents what Congress should do about the continued occupation of Iraq. Twenty-four percent of those polled supported cutting off funding for the war, while 46 percent supported continued funding to be restricted only for the purpose of a withdrawal of troops. Only 23 percent of those surveyed supported unconditional funding for the ongoing occupation. (The CPC press release can be viewed here.)

Prior to our interview, Woolsey spoke to a crowd of approximately 250 mostly middle-aged constituents gathered at Santa Rosa's Courthouse Square. She was strongly critical of the president's recent veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program legislation passed by overwhelming majorities in Congress, calling the veto "disgraceful."

In her speech, Woolsey also addressed Congressional attempts to cut off funding for the war in Iraq, saying that "We progressives stood up to this president when it wasn't popular and said, 'The occupation must end, and the troops must come home.' Now the American people agree with us." Later she added that the American people had overtaken Congress and are now "way ahead" of their elected representatives in their demand for an end to the occupation.

Previously, Woolsey voiced her strong opposition to the "Protect America Act," a law that was passed just prior to the Congressional summer recess. The bill greatly expanded the president's ability to conduct warrantless surveillance, and, according to Woolsey, went against the constitutionally guaranteed rights of privacy. During our interview, Woolsey declined to comment regarding accusations made by Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-California) that the Bush administration used terrorism warnings that were known to be false to manipulate lawmakers to push through the expanded wiretapping powers. (More on this issue here.)

The House and Senate have crafted separate bills that would reinstate Congressional oversight over the president's surveillance actions. Specifically at issue is a controversial provision in the Senate bill that would give retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that may have broken laws in assisting the government's potentially illegal surveillance efforts. Recently, Wired magazine reported Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-W. Virginia), chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and author of the Senate bill in question, recently began receiving large campaign contributions from major telecommunications companies. (The report can be viewed here.)