This story is extremely disturbing.  There was a time when I wouldn't believe that our government would do something like this, but nothing surprises me anymore:

House doors were locked Thursday night as lawmakers prepared for their first closed session in 25 years to debate surveillance legislation.

Republicans requested privacy for what they termed "an honest debate" on the new Democratic eavesdropping bill that is opposed by the White House and most Republicans in Congress.

The private session was scheduled for nighttime so the House chamber could be swept by security personnel to make sure there were no listening or recording devices.

The last such session in the House was in 1983 on U.S. support for paramilitary operations in Nicaragua. Only five closed sessions have taken place in the House since 1825.

"Honest debate".  In other words, the powers that be have decided that they want to pass legislation that they know the people will object to, and don't want to be held accountable for what they do or say.  This flies in the face of everything that democracy stands for, and every member of the House should be held accountable for this action.

The government serves at the will of the people, not the other way around.  This is an effort to subvert that will.  If you want surveillance, you need to make the case to the people... not hide it!