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Bill to prevent U.S. from striking first with nuclear weapons

Paul Sonne reporting at WaPo https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/top-democrats-introduce-bill-to-prevent-us-from-striking-first-with-nuclear-weapons/2019/01/30/a5959ee6-24bc-11e9-ba08-caf4ff5a3433_story.html (also attached in case you hit a paywall)

CNN politics

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/30/politics/warren-adam-smith-nuclear-weapons/index.html

MARYLAND SENATORS BENJAMIN CARDIN and CHRIS VAN HOLLEN at (202) 224-3121.

In 2019 the House voted in favor of ending U.S. military involvement in the Saudi-led attacks on the people of Yemen. Now we are urging the Senate to vote yes on S.J.Res. 7, which would send the War Powers Resolution to the president’s desk.

There is a growing risk that nuclear weapons will be used. Far from taking steps to fulfill its long-standing nuclear disarmament obligation, our government is upgrading its arsenal, developing new nuclear weapons and making them easier to use. It is shocking to think that the president can launch nuclear weapons without Congressional approval.

We are asking you to support the following initiatives:

ICAN Parliamentarian Pledge to support the Nuclear Ban Treaty;

S.272 - A bill to establish the policy of the United States regarding the no-first-use of nuclear weapons;

S.200 - Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2019;

S.401 - A bill to prohibit the research and development, production, and deployment of the Trident D5 low-yield nuclear warhead, and for other purposes; and

S.312 - Prevention of Arms Race Act of 2019.

The government plans to spend 49 billion dollars yearly to “modernize” nuclear weapons, which would make them more usable.

Ask them to support:

S.2016 introduced by Ed Markey "No Unconstitutional Strike Against North Korea Act."
S.2047 by Chris Murphy to prevent kinetic military operations in North Korea.
S.J.Res.40 by Chris Murphy to limit air-to-ground munitions sales to Saudi Arabia
S.200 by Markey "Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act."
S.1235 by Markey to reduce spending from the $1.7 trillion nuclear arsenal expansion.

Also, here are the main House bills we are supporting, with lists of co-sponsors:
H Res 152 - Calling for a Formal End to the Korean War introduced by Rep. Ro Khanna (CA)
HR 1771 - Divided Families Reunification Act introduced by Rep. Grace Meng (NY)

U.S. REPRESENTATIVES FROM MARYLAND at (202) 224-3121.

Andrew P. Harris (R), 1st Congressional District

C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger III (D), 2nd Congressional District

John P. Sarbanes (D), 3rd Congressional District

Anthony G. Brown (D), 4th Congressional District

Steny H. Hoyer (D), 5th Congressional District

David Trone (D), 6th Congressional District

Jamin B. (Jamie) Raskin (D), 8th Congressional District

Ask them to support:

* H.R. 921 A bill to establish the policy of the United States regarding the no-first-use of nuclear weapons;

H.R.4837 introduced by Ro Khanna "No Unconstitutional Strike Against North Korea”
H.R.1473 by Barbara Lee to prevent US troop deployments to Syria.
H.Con.Res.81 by Khanna, Thomas Massie, Mark Pocan, and Walter Jones to end support in unauthorized activities in Yemen (aka U.S. Saudi coalition support).
H.R.669 by Ted Lieu "Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act"
H.R.4415 by Adam Smith about establishing a no nuclear first use policy.
H.R.2668 by Earl Blumenauer to reduce spending from the $1.7 trillion nuclear arsenal expansion plan.

Cardin, Hoyer and Ruppersberger have already told us “I believe in a strong military” when we complained about the bloated $717 Billion military budget. We believe it could be cut in half without sacrificing national defense. This budget is obviously for unnecessary military aggression for war profits.

What terrific news, that North and South Korea are trying diplomacy!

But we are still far from being out of the woods with respect to the danger of a nuclear first strike by our own government--on Korea, or maybe on Iran. The "command and control" of nuclear weapons remains in Doctor Strangelove mode.

Korea needs peace, and the world needs Korea to achieve peace.

Here are the critical steps that are needed.

We are asking people everywhere on Earth to sign this petition to U.S. President Donald Trump:

We urge you to conclude a binding peace agreement constituting a formal and final end to the state of war between North Korea, South Korea, and the United States. We also ask that you direct the U.S. State Department to consult with officials of South Korea and with representatives of Korean Americans on potential opportunities to reunite Korean American families with family members in North Korea. In addition, we ask that you implement UN resolution 3390 of November 18, 1975, instructing the United States to dissolve the so-called United Nations Command in South Korea.

In addition, U.S. residents should click here to send an email that will go to your Representative and Senators, asking them to cosponsor and promote H.Res.152 (and parallel legislation in the Senate) calling for a formal end of the Korean war, and H.R.1771 (and the same in the Senate) directing that efforts be undertaken to reunite Korean Americans with their family members in North Korea, as well as asking them to dissolve the United Nations Command in South Korea.

Please forward this email to everyone who cares about peace.

Please share or like on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Please read and share this PDF flyer with "talking points" from Korea Peace Now.

World BEYOND War is a global network of volunteers, activists, and allied organizations advocating for the abolition of the very institution of war. Our success is driven by a people-powered movement –
support our work for a culture of peace.

World BEYOND War 513 E Main St #1484 Charlottesville, VA 22902 USA

In 1967, Israel annexed the Golan Heights and has occupied the territory ever since. Since that time, Israel has steadily depopulated the area by demolishing village after village, killing and displacing the local inhabitants and replacing them with Israeli settlers. These actions are in violation of international law, not accepted by the international community, and contradictory to American values.

Two new bills, recently introduced, H.R.1372, and S.567, seek to recognize the Golan Heights as officially belonging to Israel. This would set a dangerous precedent and indicate to the West Bank and Gaza that they too may soon suffer a similar fate. This will only increase overall tensions in the region, leading to further suffering and loss of life.

Please oppose these bills! Thank you.

“The Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act,” would prohibit U.S. foreign aid from contributing to “the military detention, interrogation, abuse, or ill-treatment of children in violation of international humanitarian law.” Additionally, it would authorize $19 million dollars annually to fund NGOs monitoring human rights abuses associated with the military detention of children and provide physical and mental health services to children who have been victims of military detention, abuse, and torture.

The Bill was introduced by Rep. Betty McCollum from Minnesota,and has found co-sponsors...BUT NOT IN MARYLAND. What if Maryland had some women in its delegation? And, right now with the vacant seat following Rep.Cummings' death, don't hesitate to call another office and ask that your voice be heard.

Main switchboard 202- 225-2131 and transfer to any of the following Maryland Representatives:

Brown, Harris, Hoyer, Raskin, Ruppersberger, Sarbanes, Trone

CALL CONGRESS A LOT "The squeaky wheel gets the oil"

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Bill to prevent U.S. from striking first with nuclear weapons