Last Friday, Congress went into its pre-election recess, and, thanks to the tireless efforts of individual constituents like you, many bad bills were held in check.

Thousands of phone calls and letters to Congress helped stop Senator Specter's surveillance bill and other proposals that could have let the government off the hook for the massive and illegal NSA spying program. Senator Stevens couldn't get the votes to pass his telecom reform bill and monkey with your online freedoms. The broadcast and audio flag DRM mandate bills didn't get through in that or any other form, nor did proposals to "plug the analog hole." The Section 115 Reform Act and its subtle, dangerous changes to copyright law didn't pass. While the speech-chilling, anti-MySpace DOPA proposal got through the House in July, it didn't get through the Senate.

Stalling these bills is quite an accomplishment, but this is no time to rest on our laurels. In five short weeks, Congress will be back, and so will these bills. Keep the pressure on Congress through our Action Center -- your letters and phone calls truly do make a difference.