Approved by FCNL's General Committee, 11/14/04
The Friends Committee on National Legislation seeks to bring the religious experience of Friends to bear on public policy decisions. We are called to bear witness to God's love for every person by sounding a clear voice for truth and peace, bringing forward alternatives to violence, and working for justice.
We are committed to government of, by, and for the people. Current U.S. policies cause the vulnerable to lose hope and allow the wealthy to amass greater wealth. The public good is compromised in favor of private interests without accountability. The Executive branch is undermining laws, and Congress is abdicating its responsibilities to promote the public good.
Friends cherish integrity in public and private life. We call on our public officials to lead by example, to be accountable to the people they serve, and to adhere to the highest standards of ethics and civility.
We know that true security grows from international cooperation and trust, as well as respect for human dignity, economic and social equality, and the rule of law. Fear of further acts of terror is being manipulated to justify an agenda of endless war in the name of "security."
In light of these concerns, FCNL selects the following priorities for its work during the 109th Congress:
Remove all U.S. military forces and bases from Iraq, and fulfill U.S. moral and legal obligations to reconstruct Iraq through appropriate multinational, national, and Iraqi agencies.
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Promote a framework for national and international security that includes peaceful prevention and resolution of deadly conflicts, active pursuit of arms control and disarmament, adherence to international law, support for the United Nations, and participation in multilateral efforts to address the root causes of war and of terrorism.
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Restore and assure full civil liberties for all persons in the United States or under its jurisdiction, and promote human rights around the world through international institutions and treaties.
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Change federal budget, tax, and fiscal policies to reduce military spending, meet pressing human needs, and address structural economic violence.
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Promote long-term protection of the environment and eliminate a critical cause of violent conflict by reducing oil consumption and accelerating development and use of renewable energy sources.
FCNL will continue active advocacy on Native American issues. As way opens, FCNL will continue Friends' long-standing witness for rights of conscience, criminal justice reform, abolition of the death penalty, and an end to institutional racism. FCNL's work will be based on legislative opportunity, specific expertise and leadings, and resource availability.
FCNL has the flexibility, within the Statement of Legislative Policy1, to respond to crises and important legislative opportunities. Omitting an issue from these priorities does not imply a change in our policy.
The General Committee calls upon its members, other Friends, and like-minded people to promote these priorities. In addition to the issues that FCNL has the resources to address, many other deeply held concerns will continue to receive attention from individual Friends, monthly meetings and churches, yearly meetings, and other Quaker organizations.
As we work to find solutions to complex problems, Friends continue to seek divine guidance and ask for renewed strength and hope.
1 See Statement of Legislative Policy (11/03) (http://www.fcnl.org/priorities/policy.htm) from which these Legislative Priorities are drawn.
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