What now? Like many of you across the country who care deeply about peace and justice, FCNL staff is closely watching the actions of the incoming Trump administration
We’re listening carefully to the statements of the president-elect and the people he is nominating to fill his cabinet and to advise him. We know that the Quaker encouragement to “answer that of God in everyone we meet” is more important than ever in our work on federal policy, just as it is essential in our daily lives—particularly with people who are vulnerable to harm.
Practicing our belief that we are to love our neighbors without exceptions has meaning for every one of us. It means loving those who are different than we are, whether that difference is political or religious, by socioeconomic status, by ethnicity, gender or age. This means we talk across the partisan divides and look to find common ground. And, it means we work to prevent a deterioration of the laws and regulations that foster equality and human rights in society: civil liberties, peaceful solutions to deadly conflict, environmental protections, and the safety net for people who are poor.
Right now, we are reaching out to the Trump transition team to provide our perspective on vital issues of concern in both domestic and foreign policy. We do this through the coalitions and working groups that our lobbying staff are actively engaged with and through relationships that our lobbyists have developed on Capitol Hill.
At the same time we are keeping our focus on Congress
This has been and will continue to be FCNL’s strength—to lobby the congressional offices across the political spectrum, urging support for the specific policies that advance peace and justice. Our lobbyists have been in congressional offices already to talk about bi-partisan support for action on climate change and defending the Paris climate agreement and the clean power plan; to lobby against a registry of Muslims and for non-discrimination of refugees and immigrants, based on their religion; to ask members of Congress not to repeal the Affordable Care Act unless they have something to replace the insurance coverage of 22 million Americans and to protect the safety net of services for people who are poor, hungry and homeless.
We have had strategy meetings with the partner organizations—faith-based and other non-governmental organizations for preserving the Iran Deal to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran and for promoting non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. We have shared the new bi-partisan experts report, A Necessary Good: U.S. Leadership on Preventing Mass Atrocities, that our peacebuilding team managed with congressional offices, with key stakeholders in the State Department, National Security Council and with other non-governmental organization.
How is FCNL responding to the nominees for positions that require confirmation by the Senate?
All cabinet secretaries, assistant secretaries, ambassadors and must go through confirmation hearings in the U.S. Senate by the committee of cognizance. If the committee approves the nominee, it goes to the floor of the Senate for a majority vote. In these confirmation hearings, senators ask the nominees questions that establish a public record. One of the most effective ways FCNL can influence the public record is to encourage senators to ask particular questions. FCNL, along with many of our organizational partners, is preparing questions for senators to ask the nominees. These questions are specific to each nominee, concerning their positions on enforcing current laws and their positions with regard to the safety and well-being of specific populations, or on past statements they have made about the role of the agency they will be heading.
Based on the past public statements, or votes for the nominees who have served in Congress, we are particularly concerned about nominees who have stated their opposition to environmental regulations, full access to health care and protection of voting rights and religious freedom. FCNL does not typically work on behalf of or against individual nominees, although we want to assure that nominees know that in the positions they might hold, their job is to uphold the Constitution and the laws of land and to serve the best interests of the United States and not their personal political positions.
Cabinet secretaries have significant influence, but they cannot unilaterally change laws or end programs within federal agencies. The professional federal workforce, who are not political appointees, will continue to do the jobs they have. Most authority to create or dismantle federal programs or change federal funding comes from Congress. FCNL will closely follow the federal budget debates and lobby to prevent cuts or other threats to the legislative priorities we care about.
In 2005, FCNL opposed the nomination of John Bolton to be Ambassador of the United Nations. If Mr. Bolton is nominated for any position in the State Department, we will oppose that nomination. We do oppose the nomination of David Friedman, who Mr. Trump has announced as his choice as the next ambassador to Israel. Mr. Friedman’s statements and actions indicate his opposition to a two state solution for Israel and Palestine.
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After the first of the year, FCNL will have more information on nominations and on specific actions on legislation that will begin moving forward in January. Please sign up now for our action alerts, if you are not already on our list.
What role can the FCNL network of grassroots advocates have right now?
Each of you who receive our action alerts and take action by contacting your member of Congress plays a vital role in our lobbying efforts. In 2017, your persistence in staying in touch with your member of Congress will be more important than ever. Even if your members do not vote the way you ask them to, it is essential they hear from you. And, if they do vote the way you ask them to, it is essential they hear from you.
Members of Congress need to hear the voices of people who want peace and who are working for justice. They follow their local media closely and they pay attention to the calls and visits to their offices. If you are working to bridge partisan divides in your community; if you are working to counter Islamophobia; if you are standing with immigrants; if you are in dialogue and action about racial injustice, let your local media know and let your congressional offices know.
Ready to Start an Advocacy Team?
Fill out a quick survey to assess whether an Advocacy Team is a good fit for you.
If you want to get more involved in developing a relationship with your member of Congress, consider creating an Advocacy Team in your local area. These teams commit themselves to staying involved on a key concern and pressing for long term change.
If you already have a relationship with a member of Congress and you’re willing to work with that member but could use help from FCNL, contact Julia Neumann, Strategy Coordinator.
Your Quaker meeting, your church group, your school or your civic group can also order #LoveThyNeighbor (no exceptions) banners or bumper stickers.
Order #LoveThyNeighbor materials.
Looking Forward
There is plenty you can do as constituents to influence Congress and make your views known in the media. And there is plenty that FCNL can do here in Washington to influence the debate on the vital issues of peace, justice, and environmental sustainability.
We are grounded in our faith and in our commitment to long term change. We will seize opportunities and we’ll avoid the distractions that don’t advance long term gain for the world we seek.
