From the Quakers: 

Within the next 24 hours, your representative will vote on:
* allowing the U.S. to build additional military bases in Iraq; and
* helping to prevent a war with Iran.

These votes will come as part of the debate on the defense authorization bill (H.R. 1585), which the House will complete action on in the next two days. The votes on these amendments could come at any time today or tomorrow (Wednesday or Thursday).

Please call your representative in the next few hours. Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-225-3121, ask for your representative by name, and ask for the aide who handles the defense authorization bill. Urge your representative to vote against the King amendment to allow the U.S. to build additional military bases in Iraq and in favor of the DeFazio amendment to prohibit the president from launching military action against Iran without congressional approval.

To find out your representative’s name, see the FCNL website.

Background

The defense authorization bill is the main bill establishing parameters of defense policy, approving specific federal programs proposed by the president, and setting general guidelines on how much money can be spent on those programs.

The House Rules Committee severely restricted the amendments that members could offer on this legislation. For example, the committee prohibited votes on measures that FCNL supports: restoring habeas corpus rights and requiring the U.S. to engage in direct, face-to-face talks with Syria and Iran as part of a larger diplomatic effort to end the fighting in Iraq.

The committee did approve votes on two amendments of particular concern to FCNL, summarized below:

Steve King (IA): The amendment states that the bill’s prohibition on the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq does not prohibit the United States from establishing a temporary military base or installation by entering into basing rights agreements with Iraq. The amendment also states that Congress recognizes the United States has not established any permanent military installations inside or outside the United States. Read FCNL’s talking points on why we oppose this amendment.

Peter DeFazio (OR)/Ron Paul (TX)/Maurice Hinchey (NY)/Barbara Lee (CA): The amendment clarifies that no previously enacted law authorizes military action against Iran. It also prohibits funding authorized by the bill, or any other act, from being used to take military action against Iran without specific authorization from Congress unless there is a "national emergency created by an attack by Iran upon the United States, its territories or possessions or its armed forces" (language taken directly from the War Powers Resolution, Public Law 93-148).

Contacting Legislators

Contact your members of Congress through FCNL's web site.

Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121