Cut-n-pasted from Larry Hogue’s post at DesertBlog:

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives missed the 2/3 majority needed to pass S. 22 by just 3 votes. This is the Omnibus Public Lands Bill that contains over 700,000 acres of new wilderness designations for California alone, with a good portion of that in desert areas.

But there’s still hope for the bill if we can keep the phone calls coming. The California Wilderness Coalition has a new alert available here. A quick summary is below.

The bill is not dead, we need you now to contact your California Representatives and tell them you support protecting California’s wild landscapes and want them to vote YES!

Call your Representative NOW.

The following representatives voted ‘YES.’ Sample message for each one: “Thank you for voting ‘aye’ on S. 22, the Public Lands Act. It’s very important to me that you continue your support of wilderness protections for our public lands.”

David Dreier - (202) 225-2305 - (Republican)

Jerry Lewis - (202) 225-5861 - (Republican)

The following representatives voted ‘NO.’ Sample message for each one: “I strongly support S 22, the Public Lands Act, and urge you to vote ‘aye’ should it come up for another vote. Thank you.”

Brian Bilbray - (202) 225-0508 - (Republican)

Duncan Hunter - (202) 225-5672 - (Republican)

Ken Calvert - (202) 255-1986 - (Republican)

Darrel Issa - (202) 225-3906 - (Republican)

George Radanovich - (202) 225-4540 - (Republican)

Gary Miller - (202) 225-3201 - (Republican)

[end cut-n-paste.]

My Representative, Jerry Lewis voted “yes.” That’s pretty damned remarkable. I called him to encourage him to do so, now I’m going to call him to thank him.

This message was written for a Southern California audience, but that doesn’t mean you folks in other areas shouldn’t call your Reps. (202) 224-3121 will get you the Capitol Switchboard, where they will connect you with the right office even if you don’t know who your Representative is. Or you can use Congress’ online directory. Call now!