Tell Senator Obama: Hang up on the telecoms. [View All]

http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=825&id=503-251118-mqaMJMx&t=1">Time is running out.

On July 8, the Senate will vote on H.R. 6304, the FISA Amendments Act of 2008.

If the bill passes, it would mean a blank check for President Bush to continue his warrantless wiretapping program and a get-out-of-jail-free card for the telecoms suspected of helping him illegally spy on Americans.

http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=825&id=503-251118-mqaMJMx&t=4">There will be no filibuster. The only way we can stop this catastrophe is to get a majority of senators to vote no.

We're unlikely to succeed, however, without real support from leaders in Congress, most of whom have already abandoned us. Senate Majority Leader Reid caved in long ago, and Speaker of the House Pelosi folded last week. There is one leader left who could make a difference: Senator Barack Obama.

Back in December, Senator Obama's office released a statement stating that he "unequivocally opposes giving retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies."1 On Wednesday, however, Obama said in a press conference that "My view on FISA has always been that the issue of the phone companies per se is not one that overrides the security interests of the American people."2

That doesn't sound like unequivocal opposition to us.

http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=825&id=503-251118-mqaMJMx&t=5">Senator Obama still has time to make this right. But it won't happen unless we work together to hold him accountable.

The delay in the FISA vote gives senators a new chance to stand up for the Constitution — will Senator Obama stand with them? Sign this petition and urge Senator Obama to vote his conscience and stand by his previous statement: No retroactive immunity for telecoms. No caving on the Constitution.

After you sign the petition, please be sure to tell a few friends.

Will Easton, Activism Manager
CREDO Action from Working Assets

Sources:

1 Senator Obama's statement on retroactive immunity from December 17, 2007.
1Video and selected text of Senator Obama's press conference from June 25, 2008.