Byrd's petition:
http://www.byrd2006.com/action/wiretap_petition.cfmDear Friend,
Last month a federal judge ruled that the Administration's warrantless domestic eavesdropping program was unconstitutional. The court acted to safeguard our Constitutionally-protected liberties and to restore our government's separation of powers. I commend the court's decision.
Today, Republicans are considering legislation to retroactively authorize the Administration's lawbreaking. As the Washington Post wrote yesterday, Republican leaders have planned to produce legislation by month's end that would give the administration as much latitude as possible to continue the program.
But before this Congress is rushed into voting on a proposal that would set aside its Constitutional responsibility to provide a check and balance on Presidential power we must first know more about this secretive assault on our liberties.
Congress should not give rubber-stamp approval to this spying program before we know how it may have reached into the lives of innocent Americans -- Americans like you and me.
That is why in February I introduced legislation to establish an independent, nonpartisan commission to investigate the secret spying on law-abiding American citizens.
You agreed and endorsed my proposal by signing the petition to investigate the secret spying. The American people need to know if the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act or any other U.S. law has been broken, and whether the constitutional rights of the American people have been violated.
That's why I am asking you to tell a friend that the Administration's secret spying must be investigated and to urge them to sign the petition. Republicans in Washington must know that the people care about liberty and the Constitution.
Thousands of you already have let your voices be heard. But we need thousands more to send a loud message that the Constitution still matters, and its checks and balances are essential to our Republic.
Thank you for your support for checks and balances -- and for our Constitution.
Sincerely,
Robert C. Byrd
United States Senator