I am perplexed and aghast that the Democratic leadership is moving ahead to fund Bush's continued war in Iraq. That is the upshot of the supplemental appropriations bill that is moving to a vote as early as Wednesday. But, a handful of courageous progressives could stop this shameful funding of the war and bring the troops home immediately.
Rep. Barbara Lee has lead the charge to defeat the supplemental. She has offered an amendment that would appropriate money only to bring the troops home by the end of the year. The numbers are clear: if just 15 of the House Progressive Caucus members vote NO on the proposed appropriations supplemental bill, it can be defeated (assuming the Republicans vote against it for other reasons). Nancy Pelosi is putting tremendous pressure on progressives. Apparently just six are are commitred to voting no: Lee, Raul Grijalva, Dennis Kucinich,Pete Stark, Maxine Waters and Lynn Woolsey.
You can see the list of the Progressive Caucus here and then call any of all of them and urge them to vote NO on the supplemental appropriations bill. Call (and get others to call) Congress at 1-202-224-3121 or toll-free 1-888-851-1879.
Where political organizations stand at this moment says a lot about who deserves our support. On the one hand, you have Progressive Democrats of America, which is calling for progressive members of Congress to defeat the bill--and save American and Iraqi lives. Here's a quick snippet from its press release:
Despite the voters' mandate last November to change course, Democratic leaders in Congress seem bent on facilitating and funding President Bush's deepening war in Iraq. Democrats should vote no on the loophole-ridden supplemental bill that would prolong the disastrous and counter-productive occupation of Iraq.
As the Congressional Democratic leadership appeases a handful of hawks, they ignore the Democratic base - and the views of most Americans - while our troops remain mired in Iraq's civil strife. Bad policy makes for bad politics and this does not bode well for Democratic prospects in 2008.
Progressive Democrats of America and its allies mobilized thousands of activists to make calls into Congress on behalf of Rep. Barbara Lee's Amendment to the supplemental which would fully fund a safe and orderly troop withdrawal from Iraq by the end of 2007.
On the other hand, MoveOn.org has thrown away its claim to any leadership of the anti-war movement. It's become infected with the inside-the-Beltway mentality, buying the framing of the debate and circulating a dishonest poll that entirely ignores the Lee Amendment. MoveOn pretends like it wants member input but, in fact, its inside-the-Beltway operatives have already made the deal with the leadership and wanted a single outcome: more money for war and for killing. Shameful.
The war must end now. Make the call.