Afghanistan FUNDING!

Congress is close to final passage of the $625.8 billion 2010 Defense Budget, which contains approximately $128.2 billion to conduct the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq through September 2010.

So far the White House has offered no timetable and no "exit strategy" for Afghanistan. On the contrary, General McCrystal is calling for tens of thousands of additional American troops and a long-term commitment, which could tie the United States down in Afghanistan for years to come.

This is the original meaning of a "quagmire"--when every step taken makes it harder and harder to move. At this rate, we will never leave Afghanistan. Members of Congress need to get a powerful message from us that we need a different policy in Afghanistan--one that emphasizes diplomacy and humanitarian assistance. Without a plan to bring the war to an end, Congress should not give another "blank check" to the White House for continued fighting.

Progressive Democrats of America, United for Peace and Justice, CODEPINK, Just Foreign Policy, and Voters for Peace believe that a public outcry is vitally important now, when the Pentagon is exerting pressure on the President and
Congress to escalate a costly, destructive, and ultimately unwinnable war.

Join the National Call-in Day September 30 and tell your Senators to unite with Sen. Russ Feingold and and ask your Congressional Representatives to vote against the 2010 Defense Appropriations bill. When making this call, urge them to cosponsor Congressman James McGovern's H.R. 2404 that would require President Obama to provide an exit plan from Afghanistan no later than December 2009. Prepare for your call by checking the list of co-sponsors of the McGovern bill. Watch Representative McGovern as he calls for an exit strategy and in case you missed it, please sign Tom Hayden's Afghanistan petition here.

Take action on the September 30 National Call-in Day:

No Exit Strategy? Stop the Funding!

Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

Working for peace,