E-News: The Next 48 Hours Could Make a Difference
Update: May 17, 2012: The House Rules Committee has decided not to allow the McGovern-Jones amendment on Afghanistan to come up for a vote. This amendment had the support of many powerful members of Congress, including the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. We are very disappointed that representatives won't have a chance to express their support for an end to the U.S. war in Afghanistan by voting for this amendment.
Your representative will have the chance to cast a vote on Afghanistan, however. Rep. Barbara Lee will offer an amendment (#158) to fund a safe and orderly withdrawal of U.S. forces and contractors. Call your representative using the toll-free number below and ask your representative to vote "yes" on this amendment. Let your member of Congress see the support for ending the war.
We are also still following amendments to curtail the use of drones, prevent war with Iran, guarantee the right to a civilian trial for anyone arrested in the United States, and more See updates on the amendments that will be coming up for a vote today and tomorrow. We encourage you to use our toll-free number, listed below, to call your representative about amendments that concern you. We expect a final vote on the military authorization bill on Friday, May 18.
May 16, 2012
The Next 48 Hours: House to Vote on Afghanistan War, Drones and More; Budget: The House's Misplaced Priorities; What's New: Cuts for Prevention Funding; Facts about Veterans; Iran Vote this Week; U.S. Activities in Africa; FCNL in the News; Recent FCNL Statements; Thank You from FCNL Staff; War is Not the Answer Photo of the Week: Barnegat, NJ
House to Vote on Afghanistan War, Drones and More
In the next 48 hours, your representative could have the opportunity to vote on legislation to accelerate the end of the war in Afghanistan, curtail the use of drones, prevent war with Iran and several other issues. If you haven't already called Congress, please call now. If you already made your call, please ask three other people to call.
Afghanistan: The House could vote tomorrow on an amendment that Reps. Jim McGovern (MA) and Walter Jones (NC) will offer to accelerate the end of the U.S. war in Afghanistan. Please call your representative toll-free today at 877-429-0678 and urge support for this amendment. Check our website for the latest updates and see talking points to help you make your call.
Here are some of the other amendments we are following.
- Iran: We support an amendment to declare that legislation Congress is considering does not authorize the use of force in Iran.
- Detainees: We support an amendment to guarantee the right to a civilian trial for anyone arrested in the United States. See why this amendment is important to support.
- Nuclear weapons: We support amendments to cut all funding for the proposed new nuclear bomb plant in New Mexico and to cut all funding for a proposed new missile defense site on the East Coast. Find out more about these amendments.
- Military spending: We oppose an amendment to remove limits on military spending set by the Budget Control Act.
- Drones: We support an amendment to prohibit drone strikes on unidentified targets.
We encourage you to contact your representative using the toll-free number above about the amendments that concern you. See a full list of the amendments we are following, which we will update as debate on this legislation begins.
The House's Misplaced Priorities
Cut Food Aid But Spend More on the Pentagon
Last Thursday, the House voted to cut the amount of money spent on school lunches, Medicaid and the working poor, while protecting the Pentagon and some large corporations. The legislation would also make cuts to Meals on Wheels, programs that prevent child abuse, and food aid for needy families. See our analysis of this legislation, and find out what you can do to help preserve cuts in Pentagon spending and stop this harsh vision from becoming reality.
What's New:
House budget for conflict prevention: the (semi) good, the bad and the ugly. Mary Stata looks at the billions the House is proposing to cut from funds to prevent war.
Fact sheet: Veterans' welfare. The U.S.'s single-minded investment in the Pentagon hurts our veterans.
Congress set to vote on dangerous Iran legislation. Read Kate Gould's analysis of how this action would lower the threshold for war with Iran.
Prevent war - with "Africa"? Cassidy Regan is concerned that the House military authorization bill seems to endorse increased activity on the entire African continent.
- "Barnegat Quakers Calling for 'More Humane U.S. Budget'," Barnegat-Ocean Acres Patch, 5/15/2012
- "House Vote to Further U.S. War in Afghanistan?" Truthout, 5/14/2012
See more recent mentions of FCNL in the news
- Letter to President Obama: Help Prevent Deadly Conflict in Kenya
- FCNL, Other Groups Urge House Armed Services Committee to Cut Nuclear Weapons Funding
Thank You from Your FCNL Staff!
Thank you to all our donors and supporters! Donations from individuals like you are the foundation of all our work and make up about 80% of FCNL's annual income. We work hard to make the best use of your gifts and welcome your continued support. You can donate securely online on our website.
War is Not the Answer Photo of the Week: Barnegat, NJ
Historic Barnegat Friends Meeting says "War Is Not the Answer." Program Assistant Emily Temple will be visiting Barnegat Friends Meeting this Sunday and leading a workshop on lobbying there.
Order your own War Is Not the Answer sign and see where this movement is showing up across the country. Find out how to submit your photo.
