Background

In 2018, two major climate change reports were released that have shifted both our understanding of the catastrophic current and future impacts of climate change as well as the timeline we must operate under to avoid the worst effects. These were the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Global Warming of 1.5 Degrees C Special Report, and the Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA) Volume II.

Since 9/11, three U.S. presidents have used the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) and the 2002 Iraq AUMF to justify U.S. military action across the globe without congressional approval or effective oversight.

On February 7, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Sen. Ed Markey (MA) released their resolution, “Recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal.” While a “Green New Deal” has meant many different things to different people, this is the first time the idea has been formally introduced in Congress and fleshed out.

On the second day of the 116th Congress, the new House Democratic introduced a major piece of legislation to address election integrity. The bill’s main components focus on voting and election laws, campaign finance, and ethics.

Question & Answer with George Conyne

At the Quaker Welcome Center, we regularly see how the stories and connections of Friends are helping to make change on Capitol Hill.

Your advocacy early this year will be critical to setting the agenda for the new Congress. Here are six ways you can be prophetic, persistent, and powerful advocates with FCNL:

Thousands of FCNL volunteer lobbyists from Florida to Alaska visited Congressional offices last year to lobby respectfully and in a non-partisan manner for the world we seek. You advocated to support sentencing reform, to support legislation to prevent atrocities, to oppose U.S. support for the Saudi war in Yemen, and to prevent cuts to the food stamps program.

FCNL made important progress during the 115th Congress, despite the prevailing hyper-partisanship. The mission for peace, justice, and sustainability is essential for all humanity, regardless of political views.

I love running long distances. My most recent marathon was a 243-mile race deep in the Moab Desert of Utah. I ran for more than 90 hours with barely any sleep.