Before the Memorial Day recess, both the House and Senate voted to support a FY 2009 Spending bill to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. After a reconciliation process, both House and Senate will have an opportunity to vote once more on the bill, perhaps as early as the week of June 1, 2009.
They need to hear from us again. Let us make our voices even louder.
Last minute efforts by peace groups across the country (including many UFPJ member groups), were able to garner as many as 52 antiwar votes on the House side. This was much better than anticipated, but still far from the numbers we need. On the Senate side, there were only two antiwar votes: Feingold and Sanders.
These funding requests will keep coming back and every time they do, our legislators need to hear from their constituents that we want an end to these wars.
Some immediate steps:
If your organization has not yet signed on to our letter to the Progressive Caucus, please consider doing so now. Click here to see the text. Under President Bush, the Progressive Caucus in overwhelming numbers opposed his requests for unconditional war funding. This time around less than half of its members voted to oppose funding for the wars.
To sign on, please email organizing@unitedforpeace.org no later than noon on Monday, June 1.
Call the district or state offices of your Representative or Senator, and thank them if they voted “No.” If they voted “Yes” ask if a staff member can explain their decision and express your disappointment.
Call the Washington offices of your Representative or Senator. Thank them for a “No” vote and urge those who have supported the Supplemental to change their vote. Make it clear that while you support funding for reconstruction, diplomacy and the safe withdrawal of troops, you are opposed to expenditures which continue or escalate the wars.
To reach the Washington switchboard, call this toll-free number: 1-800-517-5696.
Click here for contact information of Bay Area Representatives and Senators.
