NEW YORK PEACE NETWORK Alert #158

Dear Peace Networker,

In an amazing turn of events, the House of Representatives yesterday voted AGAINST the supplemental funding for the war in Iraq.

The bill would have provided $166 billion in war funding, the largest single provision since the war started in 2003. In a move that no one expected, dozens of Republicans voted "present," which is the same as abstaining on the vote. This meant that the 149 NO votes were enough to defeat the bill. (141 votes where cast in favor.)

Peace activists around the country made those 149 ‘no’ votes and that is a victory. However, the amendment only failed because 132 republicans – including most New York State republicans - voted ‘present’. This may be because they are now much more vulnerable on their war positions and they are trying to play it safe in what looks like a tough electoral season.

In New York State, only two representatives voted FOR supplemental funding: Vito Fossella (R-13) in Brooklyn, Staten Island and Peter King (R -3) on Long Island. To see the full role call, use this link (also at top right).

Also last night, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a huge appropriations bill that loaded tons of domestic programs on top of funding for the war. Although the committee approved some restrictions on war funding, it calls for $169 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through part of next year.

The next step will be a senate vote, likely next week. Then a conference committee will try to work out the differences between the Senate and House versions and the revised bill will go back to the House and Senate for a vote.

The next two weeks are a critical time to influence the passage of this bill. Please do the following to prevent another ‘blank check’ for the war:

If your member of the House voted NO on the funding, call your rep (202-224-3121), say thanks and ask him or her to hold firm over the next few weeks.
if your member voted yes or present, call your rep (202-224-3121) and tell him or her to vote against any funding bill that might come before the House in the
next few weeks.
We must all escalate our pressure on the Senate! Call your two senators (202-224-3121) and let them know how strongly you oppose further funding for this war! They will likely vote next week on the bill.
Write letters to your local newspapers, call into radio talk shows, organize a vigil or picket in front of your senators' local offices, put together a non-violent civil disobedience action at their offices.
Get word out that parts of the Winter Soldier testimony that was delivered at a hearing organized by the Congressional Progressive Caucus on Capitol Hill this morning will be broadcast on the News Hour with Jim Lehrer (PBS) this evening! You can also listen to it at http://www.kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=26317

Let us claim this victory and at the same time push as hard as we can to stop the Senate and House from giving the green light on billions more of our tax dollars going into this war and occupation.

As always, thanks for all you do.

Peace Action of New York State
info@panys.org