Friends,
I was stunned when I read Senator Barbara Mikulski’s
response to my communication urging her to support the Iran deal. For example,
she made this claim:
“Many of the constituents I've heard from are
concerned about the safety and security of our treasured ally, Israel. I share
that concern. Since the start of my time in the House and Senate, I have worked
to ensure the viability and defense of the State of Israel.“
She does not indicate how many? Two or three? She makes no mention of
those of us, surely in the thousands, who have urged her to support the
president's momentous Iran deal.
Later she brags about how
many tax dollars are given to Israel. This is money which would be better
spent in Baltimore in rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure. And of course,
she doesn’t detail the human rights violations committed by Israel or mention
the oppressive occupation of the Palestinians. When a U.S. senator wears
blinders and ignores the plight of the Palestinians, she must be
challenged.
To be frank, I was insulted
by this letter. It was far from a measured response and more like a plea
to become ambassador to Israel. Reading this letter, I have concluded that
she is prepared to vote against President Obama and for Benjamin
Netanyahu. Fortunately, this hawk is retiring after this term.
Kagiso,
Max
senator@mikulski.senate.gov [mailto:senator@mikulski.senate.gov]
Wednesday, August 26, 2015 12:10 PM
Wednesday, August 26, 2015 12:10 PM
Dear
Mr. Obuszewski:
Thank you for getting
in touch with me about the Iran nuclear agreement. I want you to know that I
take my obligation to vote on this agreement very seriously. After all, one of
Congress' highest and most important duties is to provide for our national
security. I will reach a conclusion on the agreement only after much
deliberation and a rigorous review of the facts, and after I've had an
opportunity to pose tough questions to experts and administration officials.
In April 2015,
Congress passed the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (Public Law 114-17),
which established a process for Congress to review the agreement. I strongly
supported this legislation because I believed it was appropriate and necessary
for Congress to have a role in the review of this agreement.
My review so far has
included attending multiple classified and unclassified briefings from
Secretaries Kerry, Lew, and Moniz and leaders in the Intelligence Community.
Just as important, I've met with a number of experts outside the
Administration. As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I am all too
familiar with Iran's history of duplicity, and I have asked tough questions in
numerous briefings. But most importantly, I am hearing from thousands of
constituents on both sides of the issue.
Congress received the
agreement, or the "Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," on July 20,
2015. Under the framework of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, Congress
has 60 days from that date to review the agreement and its accompanying
documents. I am using those 60 days to do my due diligence, leaving no stone
unturned as I study the agreement and its classified and unclassified annexes.
Many of the
constituents I've heard from are concerned about the safety and security of our
treasured ally, Israel. I share that concern. Since the start of my time in the
House and Senate, I have worked to ensure the viability and defense of the
State of Israel.
As Vice Chairwoman of
the Appropriations Committee, I put funds in the federal checkbook to support
Iron Dome and Israel's missile defense systems, $3.1 billion in foreign
assistance, and $10 million in refugee relocation assistance. Here at home,
I've fought to make sure our synagogues are safe and secure. The Fiscal Year
2016 Homeland Security funding bill nearly doubles the support for high-risk
non-profit security grants, going from $13 million to $25 million. And I've
made sure the U.S. Department of Treasury has the resources it needs to
implement tough sanctions on Iran. This commitment to our ally Israel, the only
true democracy in the Middle East, will not change.
Knowing of your views
will be helpful to me as the Senate reviews this agreement. Again, thanks for
getting in touch with me to share your thoughts about this important issue.
Please let me know if I may be of assistance to you in the future.
Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator
Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski [at] verizon.net. Go to http://baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com/
"The master class
has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles.
The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject
class has had nothing to gain and everything to lose--especially their
lives." Eugene Victor Debs
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