Press Release

Washington, DC – Today, on the 18th anniversary of the 2002 Authorization for Use of Force Against Iraq (AUMF) becoming law, the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) sent a letter to Congress, signed by a broad, bipartisan coalition of advocacy groups, calling for the law’s repeal. The groups urged the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to preserve in the final version of the annual defense spending bill (the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2021) a House provision to repeal the 2002 Iraq AUMF.

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) criticized the recent presidential recommendation of the number of refugees allowed to resettle in the United States for fiscal year 2021. The new number, 15,000 refugees, is nearly 20% lower than FY2020 while the number of refugees worldwide continues to grow rapidly.

Washington, DC – The Census Bureau and Agriculture Department recently released data showing gains were made throughout 2019 in alleviating poverty and hunger in the United States. However, these gains have been lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With both Houses of Congress about to leave for elections, Congress should urgently pass another COVID-19 relief package before hunger and poverty worsen throughout the country.

Washington, DC – The Washington Interfaith Staff Community (WISC) and faith leaders from across the United States are holding a virtual 12-hour prayer vigil today to urge Members of Congress to pass a robust COVID relief bill that helps families before leaving Washington, D.C. for the elections. The vigil will be live streamed on the Facebook pages of Friends Committee on National Legislation and Bread for the World.

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) applauded yesterday’s passage of both Savanna’s Act (H. R. 2733) and the Not Invisible Act of 2019 (H.R.2438) by the full House of Representatives.

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) today joined more than 170 peacebuilding organizations in an urgent call to action for global peace. The statement notes crisis responses that increase violence, injustice, and exclusion often worsen development losses and increase human suffering. Therefore, a focus on peace and justice must be at the heart of a global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) today applauded a pair of letters from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Acting USAID Administrator John Barsa seeking to restore $73 million in suspended humanitarian aid to northern Yemen, where 80% of its people live.

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) reiterates its opposition to the Interior Department’s decision to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil and gas leasing, the first step toward drilling in one of the last pieces of untouched land in the United States.

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on Nation Legislation (FCNL) expressed disappointment over the recently-released global atrocities report from the State Department. The annual report, mandated by the 2018 Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Act, left numerous unanswered questions and completely avoided several vital subjects and trouble spots.

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) appreciates the recognition given to General Secretary Diane Randall as one of the “Faith Leaders to Watch in 2020.” The list of 15 faith leaders was released today by the Center for American Progress (CAP).