Congress Action Alert

The first week of the 110th Congress has been exciting. From the swearing in of the first woman Speaker of the House to the framing of the debate by the 100 hours program, to the opposition to increase of troops to Iraq, it is clear that the change in majority control creates many new opportunities to reverse the damage of the Bush agenda and prepare to move forward.

Messages of support for the 100 hours and opposition to Bush's increase in troops to Iraq are very important for all members of Congress to receive. The most progressive will appreciate the backup, and the most conservative need to feel the heat. The 100 hours program (minimum wage increase, student loan interest rate decrease, lower prescription drug prices, no breaks to energy corporations) was created as minimal legislation that have broad support across the country. Passage will set the tone for bigger legislation including the Employee Free Choice Act and US National
Health Service HR 676 and other healthcare reforms which will be debated later in the session.

Bush's troop escalation has placed the Iraq war as the overriding debate of the first week. Mass pressure and the mandate of the vote is pushing the Democratic leadership to take stronger positions. The vocal opposition to the war sparked by Bush is increasing and broadening, and we are a part of it.

Below are a few resources to use in activating members, family, friends and local organizations as the 110th Congress enters its second week of deliberations.


1. 100 HOURS PROGRAM
The Change America Now coalition which includes labor, civil rights, women, youth, religious, advocacy, environment organizations is mobilizing at the grass roots for pressure in support of each of the pieces of 100 hours legislation. There is a strong e-mail component to this lobbying effort, which is being carried out by many labor and people's organizations.

http://www.cancampaign.org/


2. NO MORE TROOPS TO IRAQ
Opposition to the escalation of the Iraq war with a surge of additional troops is capturing the attention of the country, with hundreds of vigils and other local actions. There is also an e-mail component to this opposition by MoveOn.org and many other organizations. Below is the website for United for Peace and Justice which includes information about the January 27-29 march and lobby in Washington DC

http://www.unitedforpeace.org/


3. AN EXAMPLE -- A LOCAL INITIATIVE
Local initiatives are combining opposition to a surge in troops with support for the 100 hours program (minimum wage increase, student loan interest rate decrease, lower prescription drug prices, no breaks to energy corporations). Letters, phone calls, e-mails and visits to members of Congress are encouraged.

One example is the e-mail blast of the Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace in Los Angeles, which urges messages to Congress in support of the first 100 hours program and also to oppose sending additional troops to Iraq. (see below)


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INTERFAITH COMMUNITIES UNITED FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE

January 3, 2007

Dear ICUJP Member/Supporter,

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has publicly announced an agenda for the 1st one hundred hours of the 110th Congressional Session. Members swear in January 4th and start the “100 hours.” on January 9. The agenda includes issues of strong majority support, nationally. As persons of faith, Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace: ICUJP urges that faith values be reflected in public policy. Working for justice and peace is central to every faith tradition. We invite you to join ICUJP in urging Congress to act on the following issues of justice and peace:

1. Increase the minimum wage

2. Lower prescription drug prices for Medicare recipients

3. Reduce the interest on student loans.

4. Cut tax breaks for big oil companies & invest in alternative sources of energy.

ICUJP adds to this agenda a call for congressional rejection of a SURGE of troops to Iraq.

"The quality of faith in the people depends upon the character of justice in the land--and the character of justice in the land is to be judged by how we treat each other..."

by Ronald Rolhieser OMI, one of many sources of faith reflections.

Please write/call your elected representative and urge them to support the items listed above during the 1st 100 hours of the 110th Congressional Session. U.S. Congress (202) 224-3121.

Your elected representative and contact information are listed below:

Find Federal Officials
http://congress.org/stickers/?dir=congressorg&officials=officials&lvl=C

Find State Officials
http://congress.org/stickers/?dir=congressorg&officials=officials&lvl=L

Contact The Media
http://congress.org/stickers/?dir=congressorg&media=1


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4. SAMPLE LETTER TO THE EDITOR

To the Editor:

Last week the 110th Congress met for the first time. Nancy Pelosi, elected first women speaker of the House, said, "Today we make history. Today we change the direction of our country." Well, it's about time.

Our nation has been controlled by the right-wing of the Republican Party for too long. They have taken our country in the wrong direction. The blundering of the war in Iraq. The ill-conceived war on terror. The attacks on civil liberties. The tax breaks for the rich. The horrific tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. Need I say more?

The House Democrats '100 Hours' agenda is just what we need.

The '100 Hours' agenda includes:
- banning gifts and travel from lobbyists
- budget discipline with no deficit spending
- implementation of the 911 commissions recommendations
- raising the minimum wage
- increased stem cell research
- repealing provision that prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from negotiating with drug companies for lower prices
- cutting interest rates on student loans
- closing corporate tax loopholes and ending giveaways to the oil companies

These burdens don't fall entirely on the Democratic Party, though they will carry most of the weight. Maybe 2007 will be a turning point. Maybe we will change the direction of our country. The '100 Hours' agenda is a good first step in that direction.

Sincerely,
[Local union member, activist, community leader, etc.]