Sanders 10% Pentagon Budget Cut to get a Vote

July 6, 2020
Dear GVCP Member,

Our good friend Sally Jones sent this important message from PANYS. These calls are important. We’ve learned that staffers tally up phone calls.  
 
However, there are some problems for GVCP members: many of us live in the 27th CD, and we don’t have a representative. And, of course, when we do have a representative, it’s almost certainly going to be Chris Jacobs, who is a self-proclaimed ally of Donald Trump. It will still be worth calling, but we’re not likely to change his vote.  
 
A second problem is that the scripts for calls tend to turn people off and keep them from calling.  You’ll probably get a recording, but you might get a staffer.  Reading the suggested scripts is like a robocall.  In my call I’ll say, Senator Sanders is calling for a 10% cut in military spending, and I support this.
 
I still believe in the value of petitions.  If you’re not comfortable with making a call—or if you are comfortable making a call—it can’t hurt to send this petition as well:  https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-end-wasteful-military-spending
Peace,
Arnie Matlin for GVCP

Dear PANYS team – can we get this message out to our members and supporters across the state this week?

There are now amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to cut the Pentagon budget by 10% in both the House and the Senate. Sponsored by Reps Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Mark Pocan (D-WI) in the House and Sanders/Markey/Warren in the Senate, the amendments would free up a much needed $74 billion for healthcare, affordable housing, improvements to education programs, etc.

Some good news: The Senate has agreed that Sanders/Markey/Warren will get a vote with two hours of debate. We have time to get the word out. The vote should not happen until after July 14th, so we have time to get the word out. 

Please ask your members to make a call today:
1. Call the Congressional switchboard at 1-202-224-3121
2. Ask to be connected to your representative or senator’s offices
3. Once connected, say:

For your House Representative –
Hello, my name is (your name) and I am a voting constituent from (your city). I am calling to urge my representative to support an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act by Reps Barbara Lee and Mark Pocan, which calls for cutting 10% off the Pentagon budget. This important step would free up $74 billion for healthcare, affordable housing, and improvements to education programs. The main threats to our true security, like the global health pandemic we find ourselves facing today, will not be solved militarily. By over-prioritizing the Pentagon and military solutions, our country is drastically underprepared for the crises that we are most likely to face. I look forward to hearing what the representative’s position is on this important issue.

For your Senators –
Hello, my name is (your name) and I am a voting constituent from (your city). I am calling to urge the senator to support an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act by Senator Sanders, which calls for cutting 10% off the Pentagon budget. This important step would free up $74 billion for healthcare, affordable housing, and improvements to education programs. The main threats to our true security, like the global health pandemic we find ourselves facing today, will not be solved militarily. By over-prioritizing the Pentagon and military solutions, our country is drastically underprepared for the crises that we are most likely to face. I look forward to hearing what the senator’s position is on this important issue.

Our country stands on the edge of a cliff. More than 40 million people are unemployed. Almost 130,000 people have died from COVID-19, with thousands more likely to perish. Nearly 30 million people have no health insurance. All the while, Congress is focusing on handing the Pentagon nearly three-quarters of a trillion dollars. It’s abominable. Please call your members of Congress today and demand they do better.

Thank you for your activism in this crucial moment.

Peace Action
Renew or Join Now

Join our Newsletter

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.