Bold Steps Toward Peace, Dignity, and Executive Oversight in the Final Days of the 119th Congress

Legislative Ask

This legislative ask is designed to be shared with your members of Congress and their staff.

Following an election cycle dominated by concerns of affordability, foreign wars, and executive overreach, Congress must use every remaining leverage point and opportunity in the 119th session to show the American people that they hear and take seriously these concerns.

The past two years have seen a weakening of Congress’ influence, especially over federal spending and the use of force by federal agents at home and the military abroad. Congress should begin reversing these trends before this session ends.\

Congress can deliver for the American people by acting boldly in these areas:

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
  • Press for an end to the war on Iran or include an explicit prohibition on funds being used to sustain the war without authorization.
  • Oppose provisions that would establish or expand new nuclear and autonomous weapons systems, or that would deepen U.S. military integration with Israel or other foreign countries engaged in human rights abuses.
Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriations
  • Reject the $1.15 trillion proposed military budget and support increased, dedicated funding for peacebuilding and humanitarian assistance; adequately fund programs to prevent community violence; and invest to fulfill the U.S. federal government’s public safety obligations to tribal nations.
  • Strengthen safeguards to ensure funds are spent as intended; bypass additional funds for immigration enforcement in light of existing funding through 2029; increase resources for detention oversight measures; and include report language on strengthening guidance, training, and reporting related to immigration enforcement at sensitive locations.
Protect Food Assistance (SNAP) Benefits
  • Use any legislative vehicle possible to delay the SNAP benefit cost shift before the end of the year. States will soon have to pay a portion of the cost of SNAP benefits based on their error rates. 5.5 million people have already lost SNAP. States need more time to responsibly lower their error rates without dropping eligible people, families, and children from the program.

Connect with FCNL’s policy team for further details:
Anika Forrest, Legislative Director, Domestic Policy: AForrest@fcnl.org
Peter Quaranto, Legislative Director, Foreign Policy: PQuaranto@fcnl.org