E-news: Iraq, Indian Health, and More
 
Resent-Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 23:33:25 -0500 (CDT)


Friends Committee on National Legislation - A Quaker Lobby in the
Public Interest

**E-news: Iraq, Indian Health, and More**

May 13, 2008

Read this newsletter on our website at:
http://action.fcnl.org/r/12219/39918/.

*Iraq: War Votes This Week*

The House is expected to vote this week to approve more money for
the president's failed war strategy in Iraq:
http://action.fcnl.org/r/12220/39918/.   We at FCNL believe that
Congress should demand  a new diplomatic strategy to prevent a war
with Iran, get U.S. troops out of Iraq, and affirm that the United
States does not plan a long-term military presence in Iraq.:
http://action.fcnl.org/r/12221/39918/.

*Iraq: A New U.S. Military Base on the Iran Border*

The president insists he is not trying to lock future administrations
into a long-term military presence in Iraq. But the Washington Post
reports  that the United States is planning to upgrade a 37-square-mile
U.S. military base just 35 miles from the Iranian border:
http://action.fcnl.org/r/12222/39918/. Urge your senators you oppose
permanent bases (http://action.fcnl.org/r/12223/39918/) and find
out more: http://action.fcnl.org/r/12224/39918/.

*From the Hill: House  Will the House Cave on Government Spying?*

After passing a bill in March to restore privacy protections to the
government spying program, the House appears to be backtracking.
Representatives are striking deals that would allow the president
to spy on individuals in the United States without a court warrant
and offer immunity to phone companies that broke the law. Take
action: http://action.fcnl.org/r/12225/39918/.

*Quote of the Week: Eliminating Hunger Is Cheaper Than War*

"About 35 million Americans regularly go hungry each year, according
to federal statistics. Last year, a Harvard domestic policy expert
who studies hunger issues calculated that it would cost about $12
billion annually in federal spending to eliminate hunger through
additional funding for food stamps and other nutritional programs."

~Washington Post: http://action.fcnl.org/r/12226/39918/.

*Update: Indian Health Care Needs Help in House*

Legislation to modernize health care for Native Americans has been
stalled in the House for a year. The House leadership set a deadline
of June 6 for committees to act or step aside to allow progress.
No more time extensions should be given if H.R. 1328 is to pass
this year. Urge your representative to support modern health care
(http://action.fcnl.org/r/12227/39918/) and find out more:
http://action.fcnl.org/r/12228/39918/.

*From the Hill: How Much Can the Administration Hide from Congress?*

How can Congress exercise its constitutional role while protecting
the confidentiality of critical government information? That was
the subject of debate at a hearing last week before the Senate
Judiciary Committee. Read the administration's letters and testimony
from the hearings on the Secrecy Blog:
http://action.fcnl.org/r/12229/39918/.

*War is Not the Answer Photo of the Week: Sacramento Peace Vigil*

Image: http://action.fcnl.org/r/12230/39918/ Caption: Sacramento
Friends at an Iraq War Anniversary Vigil

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