Friends,
A request by the White House for an additional $110 Billion in Iraq war funds is making its way through Congress right now. A House floor vote is expected for the week of April 21, 2008.
General Petraeus, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, and Ryan Crocker, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq are testifying this week before the House Armed Services Committee, the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Their testimony could be used as political cover for timid members of Congress to vote – once again - for “blank check” funding for the Iraq war.
While publicly stating opposition to the war, too many members of Congress, in the past, have capitulated to the White House and have voted repeatedly for more war spending.
This will happen again unless citizens step up the pressure immediately and take an active role in stopping this $110 billion request for Iraq war funding.
We must not allow Congress to approve more money for death and destruction in Iraq.
Here is what you can do:
1) Sign on to a letter to Rep. John Murtha, who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.
This letter will be sent to every member of Congress, calling on them to:
• Stop funding the war: Give the Pentagon only enough money for the safe and orderly withdrawal of all U.S. troops out of Iraq;
• Support a diplomatic offensive — as recommended by the Iraq Study Group — to build a comprehensive solution involving many countries;
• Stop funding military contractors and the construction of permanent military bases in Iraq;
• Refuse to fund any permanent “security agreement” between President Bush and Iraqi President Maliki unless first approved by Congress and the Iraqi parliament.
To sign on to the letter, go to: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/302/t/6080/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=986
(This letter was initiated by Win Without War and endorsed by dozens of other national organizations and campaigns.)
2) On Thursday, April 10th, join the nationwide congressional call-in day.
Let your representative and senators know that you will not tolerate endless war.
Tell them to vote “NO” on more funding for the war and occupation in Iraq.
All Congressional contact information can be found at: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress
People across the nation will be making calls to their members of Congress. Will you?
3) Organize a Town Hall meeting in your Congressional District.
Or participate in Town Hall meetings that are already being organized in Congressional Districts all around the country.
One of the best ways to persuade a Representative is to hold a town hall meeting and fill the hall with people who care and are willing to speak passionately. (Another way is to turn out a crowd for a town hall meeting that your Representative is already scheduled to attend.)
Go to: Iraq Town Halls at the Democrats.com website. http://www.democrats.com/node/16025
• Find out what Town Hall Meetings are happening in your area. • Learn how you can organize a Town Hall Meeting.
The call for 435 Iraq Town Hall meetings in April - one in each Congressional District, was initiated by Democrats.com.
The message to Congress is simple: Just Say No to Bush’s demand for another $110 billion.
The Declaration of Peace has signed on to this effort, as have numerous other groups, including: Progressive Democrats of America, Gold Star Families for Peace, Win Without War, AfterDowningStreet, Hip Hop Caucus, Cities for Peace, Velvet Revolution, The Nation, The Backbone Campaign, TrueMajority, Willie Nelson Peace Research, Voters for Peace, Code Pink, Veterans for Peace, Global Exchange, Filibuster for Peace, and United for Peace and Justice.
We are at a critical moment in our efforts to move Congress to act on the will of the people and use its power to end this war and occupation. For all of the hard work we’ve all been doing, now is the time to re-double our efforts. We cannot allow another $110 billion to be allocated for this war!