The Capitol Hill switchboard has been overwhelmed by calls to Congress.
The 202 224-3121 number is jammed, likely by people protesting House Speaker John Boehner’s 2015 government funding bill, which allows funding for President Barack Obama’s unpopular decision to stop enforcing immigration law, and to award work-permits to at least 5 million illegal immigrants.
Boehner’s effort to fund the $1.1 trillion bill and amnesty is being backed by President Barack Obama, whose deputies are pushing Democrats to support Boehner’s bill.
The Daily Caller called the switchboard number at 3:28, and it was not answered for seven minutes. It is usually answered after a few seconds.
When quizzed by TheDC, the switchboard operator merely said “there is high call volume.” She declined to describe the level of calls. “My job is to answer and transfer,” she said.
TheDC called again at 3:50 and a second operator picked up the phone after nine minutes. When asked why there was a delay, the operator responded “apparently that is self-explanatory… there is more people in line than normal.”
TheDC asked her how many people were on the lines, and she responded “I’m not aware.” She declined to answer additional questions and disconnected TheDC.
In 2006 and 2007, huge waves of phone calls jammed the switchboard and pressured legislators to stop passage of immigration legislation pushed by both Democratic and Republican leaders.
The switchboard, however, isn’t needed by voters, who can use the internet to find the office numbers of their representatives and the offices of GOP leaders.