FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2007
Contact: Jessica Rhoades
406-442-9520
Rehberg Ignored Montanans, Supported
Eavesdropping Bill in Spite of Opposition
(Helena,
MT) Montana Congressional
Representative Dennis Rehberg rubberstamped a Bush-Cheney bill to extend the
power of US intelligence agents to eavesdrop on American citizens without warrants
Rep. Dennis Rehberg rubberstamped a Bush-Cheney bill to extend the power of US
intelligence agents to eavesdrop on American citizens without warrants, handing
a victory to White House in spite of strong opposition from congressional
Democrats - and ordinary Montanans. On August 3, 2007, Rehberg voted to
give the federal government unprecedented authority to listen in on telephone
conversations of Americans and to spy on them[1].
Polls have shown that Montanans strongly oppose the expansion of such powers of
the feds into our private lives.
"Rehberg is a Yes-man
for the dangerous Bush-Cheney proposal that Montanans strongly oppose,"
said State Democratic Chair, Dennis McDonald,
"This kind of blind endorsement of proposals to allow the federal government to
spy on ordinary Montanans also encourages the White House to continue to misuse
anti-terrorism powers. The startling revelation that Republicans in
Congress authorized a secret program to let America's
spy agencies eavesdrop on Montana citizens on Montana soil, is of
grave concern to all of us. That Rehberg supported it is more than
disturbing."
The controversy centers on a
secret program designed to listen in on telephone and email conversations
inside and outside the United
States. It has been met with widespread
criticism in Montana.
McDonald cited the resolution
passed by the 59th Montana Legislature opposing such government
intrusion. The resolution, which passed
with overwhelming bi-partisan support, calls for Montana's Congressional
delegation to support and ensure the rights of all Montanans citing the United
States and Montana Constitutions.
Democrats have pointed out that the
Rehberg-supported measure enables the government to wiretap U.S. residents
communicating with overseas parties without adequate oversight from courts or
Congress. The new law updates the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and it
will expire in six months unless Congress renews it.
###
[1] Rehberg
voted against H.R. 3356--110th Congress (2007): To amend the Foreign
Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for greater
oversight before authorizing certain electronic surveillance, GovTrack.us
(database of federal legislation)
(accessed Aug 7, 2007)
