FCNL and 22 Organizations Urge Senate to Move Toward Peace

FCNL joins 22 organizations have sent a letter urging the Senate to adopt bipartisan amendments by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Rand Paul (R-KY) to the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. Sen. Merkley's amendment would call for an accelerated drawdown of US troops in Afghanistan, while Sen. Paul's amendment would repeal the 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force in Iraq. These amendments represent a longstanding effort by FCNL and other organizations to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The historical importance of both of these amendments in adding to the growing the tide of opposition to the U.S. wars in both countries cannot be overstated.

Find more information about these and other amendments here.

Letter text and signers:

Click here to view a PDF of this Letter

November 28, 2011

Dear Senator,

We are writing today to urge you to support Amendment 1174 offered by Senator Jeff Merkley and Amendment 1064 offered by Senator Rand Paul to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (S. 1867). Sen. Merkley’s amendment calls for an accelerated drawdown of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and an expedited transition of security responsibility to Afghans. Sen. Paul’s amendment would recognize U.S. policy to finally end the Iraq War by repealing the 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force in Iraq. Together, these important, bipartisan pieces of legislation turn the page on a decade of war.

After more than 10 years in Afghanistan, it is time to bring our troops home. American men and women in uniform have done everything asked of them. Today, Osama bin Laden is dead, al Qaeda has been significantly diminished, and the future of Afghanistan is firmly in the hands of Afghan people.

It is time for our troops to come home.

Congress is in the midst of a debate over how to right our economy and address our growing federal debt. With the U.S. currently spending nearly $2 billion every week in Afghanistan, an accelerated drawdown would free up tremendous resources desperately needed here at home.

While even our military leaders have admitted that the current challenges in Afghanistan can only be solved with a political solution, we simply cannot justify continuing down our current path in Afghanistan. Sen. Merkley’s amendment recognizes the need to focus on nation building at home, not in Afghanistan, while allowing for a responsible drawdown that honors the sacrifices made by our troops.

In Iraq, the President has reaffirmed U.S. policy to remove all troops by the end of this year. Sen. Paul’s amendment is a responsible reflection of U.S. policy that will help ensure a complete drawdown of U.S. troops in Iraq. It is time to repeal the 2002 AUMF and finally turn the page on the Iraq War.

We strongly urge you to support these important, bipartisan amendments by Senators Merkley and Paul.

Sincerely,

3P Human Security
Partners for Peacebuilding Policy Appeal for Justice
Center for International Policy
Church of the Brethren
Council for a Livable World
CREDO Action
DownsizeDC.org, Inc.
Friends Committee on National Legislation
International Justice Network
Just Foreign Policy
Minnesota Peace Project
MoveOn
National Council of Churches of Christ, USA
Peace Action
Peace Action West
Peace and Justice Resource Center
United Church of Christ: Justice & Witness Ministries
United for Peace and Justice
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
USAction
U.S. Labor Against the War (USLAW)
Win Without War
Women’s Action for New Direction