A coalition of citizen groups opposing outsourced security services published an “Open Letter to Congress” calling for an investigation into the mishandling of the case involving Blackwater and the killing of 17 unarmed civilians in Nisour Square, Baghdad on September 16, 2007. Blackwater (now Xe Services LLC) was asked to leave the country by Iraqi officials after the event, and later six Blackwater contractors were charged with manslaughter. On New Year’s Eve, 2009, Judge Ricardo Urbina ruled the case a mistrial due to mishandling by the Justice Department.
Legislative Action
Legislative Action Resources: Sample Letter and Contact Info
January 17, 2007
Legislative Action
New resources have been added for contacting your Representative and Senators, as well as members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.
Senate Appropriations Committee -- Members and Contact Info
Contact information for members of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Appropriations Committee -- Contact Info and Sample Letter
The House Appropriations Committee will be the first legislative body to consider the supplemental spending bill which President Bush will submit in early February 2007. The Senate Appropriations Committee will be the first body in the Senate to consider the bill. Representative John Murtha is the Chair of the Defense Subcommittee of Appropriations. He has stated that he will hold hearings on the bill.
You should fax letters to each member of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. A sample letter follows, along with the Pledge to vote against Iraq war funding.
Sample Letter to Representative and Senators
[Date]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your City, State, Zip]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone]
The Honorable [NAME OF REP OR SENATOR]
[House of Representatives] [or United States Senate]
[Room Number and Office Building of Rep or Senator]
Washington, D.C. 20515 (for House) or 20510 (for Senate)
Re: Pledge to Vote Against 2007 Supplemental Spending for Iraq War
Dear Representative ________ / Senator _____________
In February, President Bush is expected to submit a “supplemental” funding request to continue the war in Iraq. The Associated Press reports that the request will be for nearly $100 billion, which will bring war spending to $170 billion for this fiscal year alone.
I urge you to publicly pledge to vote against this supplemental spending request.
For your convenience and to publicly document your position, we include a signing statement (below) that we invite your staff to deliver to you for your signature.
If we are not informed within seven calendar days that you have signed the pledge, we will return to talk with you about it, with plans to stay until the pledge is signed.
It is abundantly clear that the overwhelming majority of people in this country oppose this war; the overwhelming majority of U.S. troops in Iraq see no purpose in being there; and the overwhelming majority of Iraqis want us to leave. What reason can possibly be given to continue the war in and occupation of Iraq?
We are all complicit in this illegal war. We look forward to having you join us in putting an end to it so we can finally go about rebuilding the damage we have done in Iraq, assuring the health and welfare of returning veterans, and providing for the many real needs we have here at home.
Most Sincerely,
[INSERT YOUR NAME BELOW SIGNATURE]
Congressional Pledge to Vote Against Iraq War Funds
Download Pledge as Word Document
PLEDGE TO VOTE AGAINST 2007 SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING FOR THE IRAQ WAR
I, [INSERT NAME OF REPRESENTATIVE / SENATOR], pledge to vote against the supplemental spending measure that President Bush will seek in 2007 from Congress to fund the war in and occupation of Iraq.
Signed:
Date:
Legislative Action: Sample Letter, Pledge to Vote No, and Congress Contact Info
In early February, President Bush will most likely submit his administration’s request for an additional $100 billion or more to fund the wars in Iraq. He will likely submit this request just prior to or shortly after February 5, at the same time that he submits his proposed budget for the next fiscal year.
You should contact your Representatives and Senators and request that they publicly pledge to vote against any supplemental spending bill which President Bush submits to Congress to fund the Iraq war.
The Occupation Project is providing a sample letter that you can modify and use to contact your legislators to demand that they make such a public pledge.
The Occupation Project is also providing a Pledge to Vote Against 2007 Supplemental Funding for the Iraq War.
