The House Must Not Fail Freedom
Caroline Fredrickson
Dear Friend,
Once again, the Senate is getting ready to fail freedom. They’re close to passing a dangerous and unconstitutional FISA bill that allows warrantless government eavesdropping on American citizens and grants immunity to giant phone companies. All eyes now turn to the House.
Only bold, decisive action from a sizable bloc of House members -- led by the Congressional Progressive Caucus -- can stop warrantless wiretapping of Americans and telecom immunity from becoming the law of the land.
Tell your representative to oppose telecom immunity and warrantless wiretapping. Then, because time is short, follow up with a phone call. If the House caves, a bill that ignores the Constitution, condones overreaching executive branch power grabs and provides immunity to phone companies that sold out our privacy will soon reach President Bush’s desk. If that happens, you can rest assured that the minute Mr. Bush reaches for his pen, ACLU lawyers will be headed to court. Because wherever this fight leads us, we will not let unconstitutional violations of our due process and privacy rights go unchallenged. Now, though, is no time to concede defeat in Congress. Demand your representative uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. I know we have contacted you repeatedly through all the twists and turns of this long-running and frequently frustrating FISA debate. We deeply appreciate your willingness to keep fighting for the Constitution right alongside the ACLU. This may well be the last time we ask for your help before Congress takes decisive action. It is also one of the most important times we’ve turned to you. It is urgent that you immediately voice your commitment to the Constitution.
With you at our side, the ACLU will stand firm -- in Congress and in the courts -- to defend our core American principles.
Thank you for standing with us. Sincerely,
Caroline Fredrickson, Director
ACLU Washington Legislative Office
P.S. The Senate has not yet finalized its spying bill, but it has become clear to me and our lobbyists in Washington that Senate capitulation is only a matter of time.
That’s why your representative needs to hear from you right now.
For more details, you can read my recent statement here.
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