WASHINGTON - August 30 - With Congress in recess, antiwar forces sparked by Progressive Democrats of America have launched the "Pledge for Peace" Campaign in preparation for September's debate on Iraq Defense Appropriations.

PDA and allies are contacting members of Congress and collecting grassroots petition signatures in support of 70 Members of Congress who signed a July 19 open letter to President Bush stating they "will only support appropriating additional funds for U.S. military operations in Iraq during Fiscal Year 2008 and beyond for the protection and safe redeployment of all our troops out of Iraq."

Said PDA National Director Tim Carpenter, "This historic Congressional open letter represents a platform from which we can move toward ending the Iraq occupation. It's a line in the sand -- notification from members of Congress that they are ready to use the power of the purse granted them by the Constitution."

The goal of this new Peace Offensive is to prod members of Congress, especially Democrats, to join the 70 signers in carrying out the will of the electorate as expressed last November: Disengagement from Iraq.

Rep. Maxine Waters, chair of the Out of Iraq Caucus, commented: "There is a disconnect between those members of Congress who support President Bush's failed policy in Iraq, and the overwhelming majority of American citizens who want to end the occupation. This Peace Offensive and efforts like it all across the country are vital to holding elected officials accountable for their support of the Iraq War, and will ultimately move us closer to a safe redeployment from Iraq."

Rep. Lynn Woolsey, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, remarked: "As a growing majority of the American public continues to demand that we bring our troops home from Iraq, it is essential that we have a coordinated grassroots effort to hold elected officials accountable. PDA has understood this from the very beginning and their new 'Pledge for Peace' initiative is a great way to organize."

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Progressive Democrats of America is a grassroots PAC that works both inside the Democratic Party and outside in movements for peace and justice. Our goal: Extend the victory of Nov. 2006 into a permanent, progressive majority. PDA's advisory board includes seven members of Congress and activist leaders such as Tom Hayden, Medea Benjamin, Cindy Sheehan and Rev. Lennox Yearwood. More info: http://pdamerica.org/