[95 signers! New signers as of COB today: Udall NM-03, Neal MA-02, Strickland OH-06, Miller NC-13, Wynn MD-04, Price NC04, Obey WI-07, Pallone NJ-06, Hinchey NY-22, Serrano NY-16.]
[Ed Correction: It was pointed out to me that it is not HR 543, it is H Res 543. Big difference. I've corrected in the text.]
Lots of interesting developments on the campaign for H Res 543, which would require 17 hours of debate on Iraq by the House of Representatives. Last night was DC for Democracy's monthly MeetUp (as it was for many DFA groups around the country). We devoted the MeetUp exclusively to
Change the Course.
The Good News
1) Yesterday at 11:00 am, 3 Republican Congressmen -- Walter B Jones of North Carolina, Ron Paul of Texas, and Wayne Gilchrest of Maryland - held a press conference and joined Hawaii Democrat Neil Abercrombie to sign on to H Res 543. DCFD's rep was there, along with other orgs, staffers, and major media. MTinMD blogged it here.
2) We are currently at 85 signers - in addition to the 3 above, Adam Smith and Mark Udall surprised us!
More news and Action items on the flip...
3) According to
WaPo, "Voters in the majority of 32 Wisconsin towns with local referendums on the Iraq war voted Tuesday to bring the troops home." On, Wisconsin! Note: We have only identified one or two DFA ppl in WI to lobby their reps, so if you want yours to support it, visit your congressperson during the April 10-23 recess!
The Bad News, or Why the H%&* Are the Dems Lagging?
Blogging the press conference yesterday, Torquemadog asked the question: "Are Republicans Trying To Seize Leadership Of Anti-War Efforts Prior To November Elections?"
Yes, I think they are. I blogged about that before. And Dems are eff-ing up! [Ed Note: My opinion, not necessarily that of DCFD.] It's about the elections, stupid!
DCFD has identified 23 members of the congressional Out of Iraq Caucus -- all Democrats! -- who HAVE NOT signed H Res 543. Why, Why, Why???
Call your reps, and more importantly, visit your reps from Monday, the 10th through 23rd. They need to understand that his is under Open Rules, which means they can put forth whatever amendment they want.
Out of Iraq Caucus members who need spine transplants (and a swift kick):
Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL)
Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA)
Rep. Donna Christensen - can't sign because she is a delegate from VI
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)
Rep. Lane Evans (D-IL)
Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-PA)
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL)
Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY)
Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ)
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)
Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)
Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA)
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA)
Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA)
Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA)
Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN)
Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV)
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA)
Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL)
Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY)
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS)
Rep. John Tierney (D-MA)
Rep. Albert Wynn (D-MD)
Call them now! Visit them on Monday. Or Tuesday, or sometime in the next week or so.
Even more egregious, 3 of the original sponsors of HJR 55 have not signed H Res 543. And they need to hear from you:
Rep. John Duncan (R-TN)
Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY)
Rep. David Wu (D-OR)
It's time, my fellow Kossacks. We have almost bankrupted companies. I think we can barrage a bunch of Dems with Logic. If they don't listen, then they will bear the burden of knowing they helped keep this war alive for no good reason.