May, 14 2009, 02:28pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Paul Kawika Martin, Political Director, 301.565.4050 x 316, 951.217.7285 cell,
pmartin@peace-action.org
Peace Action Applauds McGovern's Afghanistan Exit Strategy Bill
Peace Action, the nation's largest peace organization, lauded the
introduction of H.R. 2404 by Rep. James McGovern (D-MA-3), which asks
President Obama to provide an exit strategy for U.S. military forces in
Afghanistan by the end of the year. With the House hours away from
voting on another $83 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,
McGovern introduced his legislation while speaking out on the House
floor about why he was voting against more war funding.
Paul Kawika Martin, the group's political director, stated:
WASHINGTON
Peace Action, the nation's largest peace organization, lauded the
introduction of H.R. 2404 by Rep. James McGovern (D-MA-3), which asks
President Obama to provide an exit strategy for U.S. military forces in
Afghanistan by the end of the year. With the House hours away from
voting on another $83 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,
McGovern introduced his legislation while speaking out on the House
floor about why he was voting against more war funding.
Paul Kawika Martin, the group's political director, stated:
"In a very short-time Peace Action and a large coalition of NGOs worked
with Rep. McGovern and the Congressional Progressive Caucus to garner
over 70 original cosponsors to H.R. 2404 asking for an exit strategy
for the war in Afghanistan. This represents concerns by constituents
with the U.S. policy in Afghanistan.
"Peace Action wished the Democratic leadership would have allowed the
bipartisan bill to be offered as an amendment or adopted into the
supplemental.
"The peace movement and others continue to call on Members of Congress
to vote 'no' on the supplemental and stop funding the occupations of
Iraq and Afghanistan.
"We call for an immediate halt in air and Predator drone strikes that
kill, injure and traumatize innocent civilians and drive people to the
Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Instead, the U.S. and international community
should increase funding for Afghan-led humanitarian aid, development
work, and landmine clean up while supporting regional diplomacy.
McGovern's bill is an opportunity for the congress to begin having
these discussions."
More information about the bill at
https://peaceblog.wordpress.com
Peace Action is the United States' largest peace and disarmament organization with over 100,000 members and nearly 100 chapters in 34 states, works to achieve the abolition of nuclear weapons, promote government spending priorities that support human needs and encourage real security through international cooperation and human rights.
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