Call to Action: March 14, 2018


MAKE AMERICA A PEACEMAKER AGAIN


#YemenCantWait
#TrumpThreatLevel

Trump promised to redefine America’s role in the world. Ricocheting between carelessness and obsession, he has. Now, Trump is facing numerous global flashpoints. Here are just two:

In the Middle East, Yemen is “facing a humanitarian catastrophe,” the UN says. Yemen’s civil war intensified when Saudi Arabia entered the conflict with enormous support from the US. After years of blockades and bombardments, 22.2 million people now lack reliable access to food and water.

In Asia, Trump made clear that the US wouldn’t accept a nuclear North Korea. But North Korea crossed that red line and is unlikely to dismantle its nukes. Recently, Trump jumped at an invitation to bargain with Kim Jong-un but his options are few, unsatisfactory and even dangerous. If Trump can’t close this deal, will he reconsider a preemptive nuclear strike?

Congress was designed to check such a dangerous president, but MOCs have instead placed party loyalty first. Still, the Senate will soon debate and vote on a bipartisan resolution (S.J.Res. 54/H.C.R 81) toward ending U.S. involvement in Yemen. In the House, H.R.669 would limit Trump’s use of nuclear weapons.

Congress must reclaim its authority as an independent,

co-equal branch of government.


**ACTION 1: Call #Complicit Greg Walden and our Senators**

SAMPLE SCRIPT for #Complicit Greg Walden: 
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent and voter from [city], Oregon, [zip code]. I am calling to say it is time for Congress to reclaim its authority as a co-equal branch of government. I urge the Mr. Walden to put country before party and support efforts in the House to withdraw from the Yemen conflict and vote yes on H.C.R 81, and to support HR 669, which constrains the President from first use of nuclear weapons. Thank you.”

SAMPLE SCRIPT for Senators Merkley and Wyden: 
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent and voter from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I urge the Senator to support efforts in the Senate to withdraw from the Yemen conflict and vote yes on S.J. Res 54. I also ask that the Senator introduce legislation to constrain the President from first use of nuclear weapons. Congress has given up its role as a co-equal branch of our government, but must now move to reclaim that important role in these dangerous times. Thank you.”


**ACTION 2: Send this to your Friends and Family**

Share this post with friends and family, especially in red states. Urge them to let their members of Congress know it’s time for Congress to reclaim its authority as a co-equal branch of government, not function just as an extension of their party. Members of Congress can start to do that by supporting efforts in the House and Senate to withdraw from military action in Yemen, and to support the House bill to restrain the President’s first strike use of nuclear weapons.


#Complicit GREG WALDEN  
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me

SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY 
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/

SENATOR RON WYDEN 
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/