On Nov. 18, FCNL joined New York advocates in thanking Sen. Chuck Schumer (NY) for his leadership on preventing war with Iran and urging him to ensure the Khanna-Gaetz amendment to the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) remains in the bill through House-Senate conference negotiations.
Nov. 18, 2019
Dear Senator Schumer,
We, the undersigned New York groups, thank you for your leadership on preventing war with Iran and request you do everything in your power to ensure the Khanna-Gaetz amendment to the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) remains in the bill through House-Senate conference negotiations. If enacted, this amendment would prevent any funds from being used to launch a war on Iran without congressional authorization and clarify that neither the 2001 nor 2002 AUMF can be interpreted as an authorization for military force against Iran.
Congressional opposition to U.S. military intervention in Iran could not come at a more urgent time. Although President Trump campaigned on ending endless wars, his policies have increased, not decreased tensions with Iran. The administration has moved the U.S. into a war posture with Iran by unilaterally pulling out of the Iran Nuclear Deal, even though Iran was in full compliance with the agreement, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The administration’s policy of “Maximum Pressure” sanctions has had devastating humanitarian consequences for innocent Iranians. In addition, the hostile U.S. rhetoric and increased U.S. military troop presence in Saudi Arabia have increased the likelihood of intentional or accidental conflict.
With 27 Republicans in the House of Representatives having voted in favor of this amendment to the NDAA, and 51 Senators supporting the similar amendment introduced by Senators Udall, Kaine and Lee, the Khanna-Gaetz provision is proof that opposition to war with Iran transcends partisan politics. Some of President Trump’s closest allies supported this amendment, including Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who is one of the amendment’s lead sponsors. Bipartisan and bicameral majorities have come together around the Constitutional requirement that Congress, not the president, decides whether and when the United States goes to war.
As tensions between the United States and Iran continue to rise, it is vital that Congress preemptively assert its constitutional war authority to prevent a disastrous and unauthorized war against Iran. We urge you to make a public statement reiterating your support for the Khanna-Gaetz provision and do everything you can to ensure it remains in the final version of the FY2020 NDAA.
Sincerely,
About Face: Veterans Against the War
Action Corps
Action Corps NYC
Beyond War and Militarism
Brooklyn For Peace
CODEPINK
Common Defense - New York Chapter
Demand Progress
East End Action Network
Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace
Granny Peace Brigade
Greenwich Village Coalition for Peaceful Priorities
Adirondacks Indivisible
Indivisible Binghamton
Indivisible Long Beach
Indivisible Mohawk Valley
New York Indivisible
Indivisible Queens
Indivisible Rochester
Indivisible Yorktown NY
Judson Memorial Church in NYC
Madison Chenango Call to Action
Manhattan Project for a Nuclear-Free World
National Iranian American Council (NIAC)
NIAC Action NY Chapter
Nodutdol for Korean Community Development
Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
NYC Chapter of U.S. Labor Against the War
Pax Christi Metro New York
Peace Action Bay Ridge
Peace Action New York State (PANYS)
Peace Action of Staten Island
Peace Corps Iran Association
Putnam Progressives
Rockland United
Saratoga Progressive Action
StandUp Western New York
Suffolk Progressives
Uptown Progressive Action
US Labor Against the War
Veterans for Peace Chapter 34
We the People of Oswego Indivisible