From PDA: Here's Something You Can Do

Join the Pressure Campaign!

Our grassroots pressure on Congress is working! Thanks to your help, PDA and a coalition of other groups have STALLED H. Con. Res. 362, the Iran Blockade Bill! PDA alone sent over 13,000 emails to Congress in July. But our Hill sources expect similar anti-Iran bills to be introduced when Congress comes back from recess September 8. We need to lead with a preemptive pressure campaign against similar extreme bills and in favor of a more effective diplomatic approach.

Package to Congress:
PDA and The Council for the National Interest will be hand delivering a package of materials supporting diplomacy to EVERY Senator and Member of the House during the week of September 8 – 12. This is a landmark diplomacy package signed by seven prestigious former ambassadors and deputy ambassadors that could change the direction of debate in Congress and America as to how we relate to the rest of the world. Click here to learn more and review the package contents.

Call-In Week:
In support of the package delivery, we need to keep the pressure on with telephone call-ins and emails beginning this week (September 8 – 12). The basic messages are:

1. Please work for a return to diplomacy first and military force as our last resort, as the primary principles of US foreign policy.
2. Specifically, co-sponsor H. Con. Res. 321, calling for a comprehensive diplomatic initiative in the Middle East that could defuse the Iran tensions and aid our responsible withdrawal from Iraq.Do not support the Iran Blockade Bills, H. Con. Res. 362 in the House, or S. Res. 580 in the Senate, or any similar extreme bills that might be introduced.

Here’s the Action:

• Call the Capitol switchboard at 202 224-3121 and ask for your Representative or Senator.
• Or click this link to send an email to your Representative and Senators.
• If you are really “gung ho”, you can also call the chairs of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Rep. Howard Berman at (202) 225-5021 and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Sen. Joe Biden (202) 224-4651.

Phone calls are especially effective because they create a buzz in the office. Ask to speak to the legislative aid who handles Iraq and Iran. If their Member is already in accord with our positions thank them and urge them to convince their colleagues to vote the same. As always, be polite and respectful, but be firm, as this is a crucial time.

Thank you!

Howard Jennings for the Out of Iraq IOT