E-News: Immigration Action, Senate Energy Debate, & More Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2007 20:56:24 -0500 (CDT) E-News: Immigration Action, Senate Energy Debate, & More June 5, 2007 Take Action: Support Pro-Family Immigration Legislation This week, the Senate hopes to approve legislation that would provide a sweeping overhaul of the nation's immigration system. But the draft bill under consideration falls short of what is needed. Call the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your senators by name. Urge them to support amendments to the immigration bill that would help keep families together as they go through the immigration labyrinth. For more information: http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/HNXAHFZJCN/KFTXHGBMOK/1232510051 Iraq: Chance to Make Progress in the Summer and Fall A bipartisan group of senators is preparing to introduce legislation this week that would make several of FCNL's proposals on Iraq the policy of the U.S. government by implementing some of the recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group released last December. This legislation would bolster the tentative diplomatic steps the administration has taken to resolve the crisis in Iraq and could be a first step toward a fundamental change in U.S. policy in Iraq: http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/HNXAHFZJCN/FYHMHGBMOL/1232510051 Iraq: Messages to Congress Making a Difference Your work, and the work of tens of thousands of others around the country, has generated the momentum for a new policy based on diplomacy, the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops, and a ban on permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq. Help keep up the momentum! We're almost halfway to our goal of increasing the number of people writing to Congress by 50 percent by July 4. Ask two friends to write today: http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/HNXAHFZJCN/ISAOHGBMOM/1232510051 Here's our progress so far - find out more: http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/HNXAHFZJCN/BBFZHGBMON/1232510051 From the Hill: Senate Plans Energy Debate in June The full Senate plans to take up "energy reform" legislation in mid-June, but the legislation under consideration falls far short of what is needed to significantly reduce U.S. oil dependence and greenhouse gas emissions. The Senate energy bill (S. 1419), which one columnist described as a "hodgepodge of incrementalism," could be strengthened if important amendments are accepted during the floor debate. Read more: http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/HNXAHFZJCN/BBARHGBMOO/1232510051 Quote of the Week "You do not want to give additional argument to new crazies who say, 'Let's go and bomb Iran" ~ Mohammed El-Baradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Commission, in a June 1 interview on BBC Radio. This statement comes amid press reports that Vice President Dick Cheney's staff are trying to persuade the president to take military action against Iran. Read Executive Secretary Joe Volk's analysis of the current situation: http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/HNXAHFZJCN/HFPDHGBMOP/1232510051 From the Quakers' Colonel: Afghanistan, Backing into the Future Col. Dan Smith (USA, Ret.) examines the ironies of the code name for the campaign in Afghanistan. "Operation Enduring Freedom" has proven to be a most apt description and a highly ironic warning about the future if the current coalition helping to rebuild Afghanistan turns it attention elsewhere, as it did in 2003. Read more: http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/HNXAHFZJCN/AMPDHGBMOQ/1232510051 Report Back: More Money for Native American Health Care The Indian Health Service, which provides federal health services to Native Americans and Native Alaskans, could see a budget increase this year. A key House Appropriations subcommittee recently approved a $240 million increase in the budget for Indian Health Services. Appropriations Committee Chair David Obey (WI) stated that the increase would help address budget shortfalls that are "an absolute national disgrace and a moral abomination." (Congressional Quarterly, 5/23/07). War is Not the Answer Photo of the Week http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/HNXAHFZJCN/JJRRHGBMOR/1232510051 A War is Not the Answer sign at the wedding of Lisa Handy and Robin Kanegis. _______________________________________ The Next Step for Iraq: Join FCNL's Iraq Campaign, http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/HNXAHFZJCN/EFWEHGBMOS/1232510051/ Contact Congress and the Administration: http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/HNXAHFZJCN/JAPCHGBMOT/1232510051/ Order FCNL publications and "War is Not the Answer" campaign bumper stickers and yard signs: http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/HNXAHFZJCN/ABFJHGBMOU/1232510051/ http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/HNXAHFZJCN/CTKSHGBMOV/1232510051 Contribute to FCNL: http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/HNXAHFZJCN/DERAHGBMOW/1232510051/ Subscribe or update your information to this list: http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/HNXAHFZJCN/GLYLHGBMOX/1232510051/. To unsubscribe from this list, please see the end of this message. Subscribe to other FCNL legislative, policy, and action alert lists: http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/HNXAHFZJCN/KBQBHGBMOY/1232510051. ________________________________________ Friends Committee on National Legislation 245 Second St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-5795 fcnl@fcnl.org * http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/HNXAHFZJCN/DTHBHGBMOZ/1232510051 phone: (202)547-6000 * toll-free: (800)630-1330 We seek a world free of war and the threat of war We seek a society with equity and justice for all We seek a community where every person's potential may be fulfilled --- If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from us, please visit http://capwiz.com/fconl/lmx/u/?jobid=85900061&queueid=1232510051.