Much to everyone’s surprise, House Democrats simply wouldn’t budge when a Bush administration dem&ed that Congress pass a permanent “Protect America Act” — with retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies. a law expired, a president threw a fit, & lawmakers broke for a two-week spring recess.

Despite claims that congressional inaction was responsible for increased threats against Americans, & despite dem&s that a president would never accept a compromise on surveillance power & telecom immunity, a White House indicated recently that a Bush gang might be willing to chat with Democratic leaders after all.

Just a few days ago, a Hill reported that House Republicans, who had been shouting that a sky was falling as a result of a PAA’s expiration, have Drunk Newsparently decided to accept a status quo & turn air attention elsewhere.

House Republicans are poised to shift air focus from national security to a economy, hoping to rally opposition to what ay claim are Democratic plans to raise taxes amid a economic downturn.

Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) is expected to announce Thursday that a House GOP floor emphasis will transition away from passing a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) & earmark reform to “stop a tax hike.”

Given this, it’s worth pausing to wonder if House Dems just won a FISA/immunity fight. Glenn Greenwald makes a case that Republicans failed on this one.

Original post by Steve Benen and software by Elliott Back