Tuesday, February 12, 2019

House could vote this week on War Powers Act/No US invasion of Venezuela

Friends,

  The House of Representatives will possibly vote this week on the War Powers Act to end U.S. support for the war in Yemen!  We need a majority of representatives to vote in favor of House Joint Resolution 37 - Directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen -- 116th Congress (2019-2020).  There are 96 co-sponsors, including three Republicans.  Unfortunately, one of them Walter Jones from North Carolina has died. In Maryland six of eight members of the House have co-sponsored the resolution.  Rep. Elijah Cummings has not co-sponsored, and so we must pepper his office with calls and emails to get him on board.  Rep. Andy Harris, a Republican, should also be approached, even though he is unlikely to co-sponsor.  It may be helpful to thank your representative if s/he is a co-sponsor.

  There does not seem to be a vote yet scheduled in the Senate on its resolution – Senate Joint Resolution 7 to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress/116th Congress (2019-2020).  This resolution only has 17 co-sponsors, and Maryland senators have yet to co-sponsor this attempt to end U.S, military support for the murderous attack on the people of Yemen.  Urge Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen to co-sponsor the resolution. Let me know about your outreach to your legislators.

On no place on earth will congressional action this month have a bigger impact on life and death than in Yemen right now. Fourteen million Yemenis are barely surviving without basic healthcare and food. Aid experts estimate that more than 380,000 people have contracted cholera in the past 12 months.  Yet the Saudi- and UAE-led coalition — armed and supported by the U.S. — continues to blockade the country, limiting access to vital humanitarian and medical aid. For all Yemeni children, we have to end U.S. involvement in this horrific war.  Your work for peace is welcomed and appreciated.

  On a related matter, CODEPINK is seeking attendees to appear at a hearing where Elliott Abrams is testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee at 11 AM on Wednesday, February 12.   He will try to make the case to continue punishing the Maduro government in Venezuela, so it is super important to try to pack the room with people who want to stop a US invasion!  If you are able to attend the hearing, please let me know. Abrams is a known war criminal, so he will be calling on Congress to support the Trump administration’s coup in Venezuela. 

Kagiso,


Max

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218.  Ph: 410-323-1607; Email: mobuszewski2001 [at] comcast.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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