ALERT: Chance to block War Supplemental
UPDATE: As of the morning of Friday June 12, the offices of both Maine Representatives are reporting our members will vote NO to the conference report of HR 2346. Don’t stop calling. A lot can happen with Rahm Emanuel on the case. Please continue to register your views. And THANK YOU to all who have called so far.
We have another chance to block funding for war expansion. A couple of weeks ago, it looked like the $100 billion War Supplemental (H.R. 2346) would pass through Congress with hardly a bleat of opposition. To their great credit, Maine’s two Representatives, Chelli Pingree (1st Congressional District) and Mike Michaud (2nd Congressional District) joined a small group of 60 in the House who opposed the original bill.
Now due to a provision to spend $5 billion to guarantee IMF credits to troubled foreign banks, all Republican support has peeled off of the conference report. Suddenly the small group of sixty members who initially opposed the supplemental are crucial for the administration to turn from “no” to “yes” in order to get both the foreign credits and the war. Both Rep. Michaud and Rep. Pingree from Maine were opposed to the original bill.
Administration lobbying through Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is heavy. See HERE for more details. Meanwhile, please call Mike and Chelli right away with your views, and ask them specifically how they are planning to vote on the supplemental. It would be helpful to report your results in comments under this message.
These direct links to the Representatives give full contact information:
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE MICHAUD
REPRESENTATIVE CHELLI PINGREE
Below is the Kucinich/Woolsey letter urging colleagues to oppose the War Supplemental:
June 9, 2009
Dear Colleague,
We commend your vote in opposition to H.R. 2346, Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009. We urge you to continue to oppose the War Supplemental conference report.
Despite the current focus on disagreements over funding for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, the primary intent of this legislation is to continue funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As Members who remain opposed to continued, prolonged or protracted war or occupation on one or more fronts we must make clear our strong opposition and work to defeat this bill. It is notable that attempts to make important changes to the legislation, such as the call for an exit strategy from Afghanistan or demands for increased transparency and accountability at the IMF, have been rebuffed.
Continued funding of war operations in Iraq ensures a continued occupation thereby undermining the stated U.S. goal for withdrawal by the end of 2010. Funds for Iraq should be dedicated to bringing all of our troops and contractors home immediately. We must met our moral obligation to rebuild Iraq and support viable solutions to the crises faced by the refugee and internally displaced populations. As such, the U.S. must maintain a continued commitment to the country of Iraq that does not include war or occupation.
Funding expanded combat operations in Afghanistan will not meet the security objectives of the U.S. Sending additional brave American service members to Afghanistan does not increase security and it is not an act of diplomacy. This approach only encourages the Taliban and other insurgent groups to do likewise, while fueling their recruiting efforts. The bill ensured that the months and perhaps years ahead will be bloody. And the bill fails to present an exit strategy.
Voting down the funds for war honors the mandate to end the war in Iraq that was given to this body by the American people in November of 2006. Furthermore, defeat of the War Supplemental sends a clear message about U.S. priorities at home and abroad.
Congress must use the power of the purse to end combat operations. When the War Supplemental conference comes to the Floor for a vote I urge you to continue to vote no.
Sincerely,
Dennis Kucinich
Member of Congress
Lynn Woolsey
Member of Congress
Posted
on
Thursday, June 11th, 2009 at 12:39 pm under
HERE is a complete run-down on the War Supplemental, showing its pork in full bloom. Be sure to read through the excellent comment by Hugh.
June 12th, 2009 at 12:20 am