Action 140 NO WAR! NO cruel budget!

Jun 25

Background: Are you ready to call for impeachment yet? Mr. Trump and his henchmen have violated an almost countless array of the norms of decent government “of, by, and for the people” (e.g. see Actions 127, 99. 59). His latest outlaw stunt is waging war against Iran without Congressional authorization as required in the Constitution. Pretending the U.S. bombing of Iran does not constitute an act of war is simply a ridiculous lie, to cover up the Constitutional violation. (Would you say it was an act of war if some nation were to bomb significant defense and energy facilities in the United States? DUH!) Furthermore, our own intelligence professionals denied that Iran could imminently possess a nuclear bomb, the pretext for the aggression, but have since reversed that assessment under pressure from Trump. It’s pretty clear to outside observers that Netanyahu is calling the shots and Trump is easily persuaded, likely by flattery of his fragile ego and his tanking approval ratings. You may expect oil prices to go up in the immediate future and many other horrendous outcomes.

Action(s): Call our delegation to express your complete condemnation of getting the USA involved in another war. Congress must pass the War Powers Resolution (H.Con.Res.38 and S.J.Res.59). Win Without War has a “canned” action item you can sign on to: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/war-powers-resolutions2

but as always, it’s best to contact our congress critters directly using your own words. Links to the text of the resolutions are in Extra Credit.

Also, continue to pressure our entire delegation on the “sadistic monstrosity” budget bill (See Action 139). There are enough changes being contemplated in the Senate that it will have to go back to the House for “reconciliation”, so we need to stiffen the resolve of Jared Golden as well as Susan Collins, who heads the responsible Senate committee. (It’s a pretty safe bet that Chellie Pingree is steadfast in her opposition. It doesn’t hurt to call her and Senator King though.) Some provisions that did not pass the Parliamentarian’s “Byrd bath test” have been removed (see Action 119). This is good news (if it stands) but insufficient to make the bill even remotely acceptable. Request a clear answer to the question of what happens to Medicare if the deficit increases.

And start designing your impeachment signs for the next protest. It’s really time.

Contact:
Senator Susan Collins: Email: www.collins.senate.gov/contact/email-senator-collins/form

Phone: (202) 224-2523 (DC office), (207) 945-0417 (Bangor office)

Senator Angus King: Email www.king.senate.gov/contact

Phone: (202) 224-5344 (DC office), (207) 945-8000 (Bangor office)

Representative Jared Golden: Email: golden.house.gov/contact

Phone: (202) 224-3121 (DC office), (207) 249-7400 (Bangor office)

Representative Chellie Pingree: Email: https://pingree.house.gov/contact/

Phone: (202) 225-6116 (DC office), (207) 774-5019 (Portland office)

Extra Credit:

On the Iran War:

https://statuskuo.substack.com/p/their-iran-narrative-is-unraveling
https://newrepublic.com/article/197078/donald-trump-war-iran-just-beginning