Rep. Silvestre Reyes: Deal or No Deal?
Released: March 5, 2008
DFA Members Tell Rep. Reyes No Telecom Immunity
BURLINGTON, VT
Democracy for America, our nation's largest progressive political action organization, is putting the pressure on House Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes (D TX). Rep. Reyes indicated he is open to a deal with the White House on immunity for the telecommunications companies who participated in President Bush program of warrantless wiretapping. DFA members are calling Rep. Reyes' Washington and El Paso offices demanding that he stand with Speaker Pelosi and the majority of House Democrats against telecom immunity.
"In just a few hours, Democracy for America members have made thousands of calls to Rep. Reyes letting him know he has a duty to uphold the Constitution," said DFA Chair Jim Dean. "House Democrats have been firm in their opposition to telecom immunity and Rep. Reyes should follow their lead."
Earlier today, Democracy for America Political Director Charles Chamberlain sent a message to DFA's 675,000 members asking them to take action and call Rep. Reyes:
He needs to know we are counting on him. He needs to know that if he won't stand up to President Bush, then DFA members will find someone to replace him who will.
DFA is supporting Ed Fallon, an opponent of telecom immunity, in his primary challenge of incumbent Bush-Democrat Leonard Boswell in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District. Rep. Boswell has already voted for telecom immunity. Last month, Democracy for America was instrumental in Donna Edwards' primary victory over incumbent Bush-Democrat Al Wynn in Maryland's 4th Congressional District.
A staffer at Rep. Reyes' El Paso office told a caller that no decision on telecom immunity had been made and she could not imagine why Rep Reyes would go against his close friend Speaker Pelosi. Grassroots pressure from Democracy for America members has been essential at every stage of the battle to stop telecom immunity.
"Rep. Reyes has a choice: is he with the American people or is he with President Bush and his cronies from AT&T and Verizon," said Democracy for America Executive Director Arshad Hasan. "We hope Rep Reyes makes the right decision."
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