After months of advocacy, we saw a big win for peace this week as the House passed a War Powers Resolution to end U.S. military attacks on Iran.
Four Republicans joined all Democrats in pushing the resolution over the finish line on Wednesday in a 215-208 vote.
This is a big deal and an important, hopeful step forward for peace.
While Senate passage is uncertain, this vote is not merely symbolic. As FCNL’s Hassan El-Tayyab explained, even if President Trump were to veto a successful War Powers Resolution, it would still have a tangible, positive effect.
This vote is a strong statement of dissent from Congress that pressures the administration to move toward peace. The U.S. public and their representatives in the House oppose the continuation of this illegal, immoral, and disastrous war.
It also marks another historic, landmark vote toward Congress reclaiming its constitutional war powers and reining in presidential overreach.
This vote comes at a significant moment, with fragile peace negotiations hanging in the balance.
This week, Iran pulled out of negotiations in response to the Israeli government escalating attacks on Lebanon in violation of the temporary regional ceasefire.
Another House vote this week on a War Powers Resolution to end U.S. military support for Israel’s operations in Lebanon fell short. But forcing a debate over Lebanon encourages the Trump administration to use its leverage to demand an end to Israel’s destructive, deadly attacks. And it sends a signal that the Netanyahu government cannot continue to kill civilians and undermine peace without facing scrutiny and debate from Congress.
The House passage of the Iran War Powers Resolution is a testament to the power of our determined grassroots advocacy. We have to keep building momentum to end this war permanently and move toward just, lasting peace.
Elsewhere
Giveaway to ICE as Neglect Continues
The Senate passed a massive giveaway to ICE and border patrol early this morning — $69.5 billion without any new guardrails or accountability. The legislation now moves to the House, which is going to try to pass it next week.
This week, we also learned new details about medical neglect in ICE detention from a devastating AP report. Infections are being untreated, cancers are growing, blood pressure and epilepsy medications aren’t provided. People are going blind because they are missing care. This is happening in facilities across the country and thousands of people are suffering.
We need accountability and reform. We can’t continue to fund this cruel machine that is chewing up our neighbors, friends, and community.
Boat Strike Death Toll Rises
The United States military has murdered over 200 people in boat strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. These killings are not authorized by Congress and don’t address the drug problem in the United States or elsewhere.
As Amanda Klasing of Amnesty International puts it, “People of good conscience cannot allow this to continue, yet Congress has so far failed to halt, or even slow down, this lethal and unlawful campaign.”
National Guard doesn’t stop violence, but we know what does
A new report from the nonpartisan Niskanen Center found that the deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C. has been incredibly expensive but has not reduced violent crime. They find that deployment has cost roughly $1.5 million per day and for what gain? Possibly reducing some instances of opportunistic theft.
What does work to reduce gun violence? Violence interrupters. Using strategies rooted in communities, not in soldiers in fatigues, we can address the root causes of violence and build safer and healthier communities for everyone.
Massive Pentagon Budget Bill Advances
A huge increase to the Pentagon’s budget passed out of a key House committee last night, although it faced more opposition than usual. The total allotted in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was $1,150,000,000,000. The legislation still has many votes ahead, but this is a step in the wrong direction. Our government is moving to fund missiles, not health care; tanks, not housing; bombs, not food.
There is still time for Congress to do the right thing. Join us and demand that your members of Congress reject this massive spending!
