A vote is expected today in the House, under suspension and requiring 2/3 to pass, on the "emergency" (off the books) funding of the $33 billion / 30,000 troop plus contractors escalation of the war in Afghanistan.
Here's where the hypocrisy hits the highway. On July 1st,
162 congress members voted to require a withdrawal plan and end date for the occupation of Afghanistan, and
100 voted to fund only withdrawal, no continuation of war, while
25 voted to simply stop dumping any money into this war.
Now all of them must vote yes or no, probably on Tuesday, on whether to fund a major escalation of the war in Afghanistan. You won't hear anyone mention it, but this $33 billion is to add 30,000 troops plus contractors to the war. (Yes, most of them have been sent already, but not with congressional authorization, and they can be brought home.)
Can you want a withdrawal plan or to fund only withdrawal, and nonetheless vote to fund an escalation? The Queen told Alice: "Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." Congress members have been known to do eight.
90,000 new documents exposing the criminality of the war won't change that. What will change it is the threat of unelection.
The House will likely now vote on the Senate version of the war escalation supplemental. This will likely mean something quite unusual: a straightforward vote in which yes means yes more war, and no means no.
Whether we block the bill or not, we will now be able to identify clearly and unambiguously the war supporters and war opponents. They will need to be punished and rewarded while they're home for August and at the polls in November. If the majority of Democrats vote against the war funds, we will be able to point out that opposition from the President's own party. And the closer we come to defeating the bill the more we will have to build on as the peace movement joins with the labor and civil rights movements this fall.
Our message is simple:
Vote no on funding this escalation of war, regardless of whether it's a procedural vote, and regardless of any good measures attached to it. If you vote yes, plan on getting a different job in January.
FCNL has a toll-free number to call your representative: 1-888-493-5443, or use the standard number (202) 224-3121.
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