This week, Congress took steps to further surge funding for militarism at home and abroad.
On Tuesday, the House passed funding legislation to give immigration enforcement billions more dollars without any accountability measures. The bill was signed into law by President Trump on Thursday.
While not unexpected, this is a moral failure. This $70 billion blank check for ICE and Border Patrol comes amid appalling abuses and deaths in immigrant detention camps while militarized immigration agents continue to rip families apart.
Through the budget process, congressional leaders had an opportunity to enact real reforms to protect our communities and uphold the rights and dignity of all. They failed to do so, forcing the bill through on a partisan basis.
Over the past week, we also saw the House and Senate armed services committees advance their respective versions of the annual military policy bill, approving an over $1 trillion budget for war in the coming fiscal year.
Pouring more and more of our resources into cruel ICE enforcement and reckless wars does not make us safer.
As FCNL’s Bridget Moix wrote last month in RNS, “As Quakers, we reject the false choice between security and human dignity. True safety cannot be built through fear, cruelty or unchecked power. Lasting security comes from thriving communities, functioning institutions, economic opportunity and respect for human rights.”
This point was echoed by Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-2) this week in the House Armed Services Committee:
“National security isn’t just about the strength of military. It’s about the strength of our country. A nation that prioritizes bullets and bombs over food and healthcare is not making itself stronger.”
While we are outraged and saddened by these outcomes, we aren’t giving up. Voices of faith and conscience have made a major impact in building public opposition to these policies. We will have more opportunities to make our voices heard going forward.
Together, we can and must continue to build pressure to demand our lawmakers push back against lawless, immoral militarism – both at home and abroad.
Elsewhere
Escalation followed by tense calm with U.S.-Iran War
The U.S.-Iran war escalated once again this week, with Iran allegedly shooting down a U.S. helicopter, the U.S. carrying out missile attacks, and Iran responding with strikes on military targets in the region. The U.S. attacked civilian ships near the Strait of Hormuz, killing three Indian sailors. After threatening major strikes and a ground invasion yesterday, Trump later backed down, claiming again that a peace deal is now close.
The Trump administration is clearly not committed to peace. The Senate must urgently follow the House in passing an Iran War Powers Resolution to demand an actual end to this war. This is the way to increase political pressure on the administration to secure peace.
Demand the Senate pass a War Powers Resolution now!
Time to Prevent War with Cuba
Over the past several months, the Trump administration has tightened the U.S. blockade on Cuba, with devastating humanitarian consequences. This comes as the threat of military action grows. “Congress must take urgent and swift action,” as FCNL’s Lydia El-Sayegh put it, “to forestall a new unlawful and immoral war against Cuba.”
That is why the FCNL team is joining a faith coalition next week in a focused week of action for Cuba. Join us for a Cuba Faith Action Hour as we call our members of Congress to act to lift the blockade and prevent war with Cuba, Monday, June 16 at 5 p.m. ET.
Freedom Summer
As voting rights are under attack, partners are launching a new Freedom Summer. This is a coordinated campaign to protect our democracy and make sure that everyone can vote and be counted. The campaign will kick off next Friday, on Juneteenth, and continue through the fall.
