FCNL LEGISLATIVE ACTION MESSAGE - [9/13/01]

[posted here on 9-14-01]

TOPIC: CONGRESSIONAL RESPONSE TO ATTACKS.

Congress is acting quickly to respond to the attacks on the U.S. this past Tuesday. The House and Senate are expected to approve a $20 billion emergency spending bill by tonight (Thursday 9/13), giving the President broad discretion to use the funds as needed for disaster relief, repairing public buildings and infrastructure, expanded investigations and intelligence gathering, increased security on national transportation systems, and increased military security.

The second, more troubling, bill is likely to be a resolution authorizing the President, in advance, to take action to retaliate for the attacks. The resolution is still being drafted. At issue are: 1) whether the President should be given advance authority to act without further authorization from Congress, and 2) whether and in what way Congress should limit the President's authority to act.

Some are concerned that granting broad war powers to the President would also give him the authority to curtail civil liberties.

As reported in the CQ Daily Monitor, Sen. Hatch (UT) has said he thinks the President should be granted "wide powers." Sen. Biden (DE), however, stated: "There's no doubt that the President has the right to retaliate, but it is wise and necessary for national unity for him to ask [Congress] for that when he feels it's prudent."

Given the strong desire on the part of the Democratic and Republican leadership to put forward an image of national unity at this time, the discussion over the resolution language is likely to take place behind closed doors. When they reach unity, the resolution will likely move quickly to the floors of the House and Senate for votes. This could occur as early as tonight (9/13), tomorrow, or early next week. (Tune in to C-Span to get the latest information.)

ACTION: Please contact your representative and senators as soon as possible.

Urge them to oppose granting the President wide war powers. This is not a time for precipitous military action. There is no reason for Congress to surrender its constitutional authority at this time. This is a time for quick, cooperative action by U.S. law enforcement agencies and governments around the world to identify and capture those who aided and abetted in the commission of these atrocities and to bring them before a court of law.

War is not the answer to the horror and violence of these attacks. War, destruction, and hatred between peoples are what the perpetrators of these heinous acts apparently seek. The U.S. should not give them what they want.

If the U.S. declares war, the hijackers and their supporters will have won. Instead, the U.S. should proceed swiftly, steadfastly, and in cooperation with other countries to bring the perpetrators to justice under law.

CONTACTING CONGRESS:

Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121

CONTACTING THE ADMINISTRATION:

White House Comment Desk: 202-456-1111
FAX: 202-456-2461
E-MAIL: president@whitehouse.gov

Friends Committee on National Legislation (Quakers)
245 Second Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002-5795
Tel: (202) 547-6000, ext. 146
Toll free: (800) 630-1330, ext. 146
Fax: (202) 547-6019
E-mail: david@fcnl.org
Web site: www.fcnl.org

GA actions ratified (or not) by  the presbyteries   

A number of the most important actions of the 219^th General Assembly have now been acted upon by the presbyteries, confirming most of them as amendments to the PC(USA) Book of Order.

We provided resources to help inform the reflection and debate, along with updates on the voting.

Our three areas of primary interest have been:

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