Resolutions on the Mideast crisis have passed in both the House and the
Senate. After a short delay, reported on in a
July 18th email, the Senate passed
S. Res 534 by unanimous consent later that same day. The House passed
H Res 921 today with a
roll call vote
held under suspension of the rules. The resolutions are non-binding in
nature and their passage does not enact new law or represent an end to
Congressional debate on these issues. Columnist Norman Ornstein writing
in the Hill newspaper, Roll Call, on July 19th asserted
that “we need a national conversation on what we can and cannot do, should
and should not do, in this dangerous environment” and encouraged the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee to hold hearings on the new aspects of
the conflict. The Bush Administration and members of Congress need to know
their constituents support strong US leadership to end the crisis and
engage in serious diplomacy toward a comprehensive Middle East peace.
TAKE ACTION:
Your Message:
As an American Christian [include specific affiliation], with a
commitment to peacemaking and concern for all the peoples of the Middle
East who are suffering in this current crisis, I ask for Congressional
support of Presidential leadership
to achieve an immediate cease-fire.
Background Points:
I
am grieved over the tragic loss of life and suffering among the peoples of
Israel, Lebanon and Gaza and am concerned about the dire humanitarian
crises that are unfolding as a result of the violence.
I
support intensive US diplomatic efforts, in cooperation with parties in
the region and the United Nations, to bring about an immediate cease-fire
that will:
· end
the escalating violence
· protect
civilian lives and prevent their further displacement
· prevent
the further destruction of infrastructure in Lebanon and Gaza
· secure
a safe return of the kidnapped Israeli soldiers and
· begin
a political process that ends the current crisis and paves the way toward
a comprehensive Middle East peace.
Contact Info:
Email or Call your
Senators and
Representative.
Call the White House Comment Line:
202-456-1111.
