FISA Fight: Hoyer, Blue Dogs, and "Compromise"

There's been little public information released about where we stand on FISA, but there's rumors bubbling up in the background that something is afoot. We know the Blue Dogs are being pressured by Republicans to help them force the Cheney/Rockefeller bill on the House.

The other thing we know: the only Democrat who continues to talk about a FISA compromise is Steny Hoyer:

Congressional staffers from both parties met with administration officials Monday to discuss controversial electronic surveillance legislation, an aide to House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) confirmed, offering a ray of hope for the long-stalled bill....

Behind the scenes, Hoyer has emerged as a deal maker on the issue over the past several weeks, working as the go-between for liberal House Democrats unwilling to accept immunity and Senate Republicans who would block any bill that does not protect the telecoms from prosecution.

Hoyer is the only Democrat pushing FISA, on either side of the Hill. A new vote will only happen if Hoyer makes it happen. And if he gets his crowd of usual suspect Blue Dogs to join in.

Since it seems like we need to keep the reminding Mr. Hoyer just who it is he's trying to compromise with, we'll do it again.

"Republicans have dedicated significant time and resources in engaging regional and local media, editorial boards, and talk radio over the break," said Kevin Smith, a spokesman for House Minority Leader John A. Boehner , R-Ohio. "We’re going to hold every Democrat accountable for their irresponsible actions on this bill, and we will ramp up the pressure until they do the right thing and pass the bipartisan Senate bill. In the end, we believe they will cave."

The only way that happens is through Hoyer and the 21 Blue Dogs who were stupid enough to put their name on a letter to Nancy Pelosi saying they wanted the Cheney/Rockefeller bill. When the House passed its version of FISA reform--without telco amnesty--16 of those signees did the right thing and voted with the majority. As did Hoyer.

You know what to do. Warm up your dialing finger and have at 'em. Urge Stoyer to leave well enough alone--we've won, for gawd's sake. Urge the rest of them to just say no to any effort to "compromise" on FISA. Contact information below the fold.

The Blue Dogs who voted with the majority:

• Maj. Leader Steny Hoyer, D-MD -- Phone:  [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. Leonard L. Boswell, D-Iowa -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark. -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark. -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D. -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. Melissa Bean, D-Ill. -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga. -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. Allen Boyd, D-Fla. -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif. -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. John Tanner, D-Tenn. -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-Ind. -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-La. -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Kan. -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. Zack Space, D-Ohio -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]

The Blue Dogs who voted with the Republicans:

• Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla. -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. Christopher Carney, D-Pa. -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn. -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn. -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. Tim Holden, D-Pa. -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
• Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C. -- Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]

The 21st signee, Rep. Robert E. "Bud" Cramer, D-Ala. (Phone: [202] 225-4801, Fax: [202] 225-4392) did not vote.