Ever since Trump announced US withdrawal from Syria, the forces of war have been having a temper tantrum, trying to reverse the decision. Their latest attempt is a vote today to fast track legislation to impose new levels of sanctions with unrealistic conditions that would have to be met before the penalties could be suspended.
H.R. 31, the Caesar Syrian Civilian Protection Act, sponsored by Democrat Eliot Engel, would make it even more difficult to negotiate a ceasefire agreement and reach a diplomatic settlement to the long and bloody conflict. Send a message now to your Representative in House telling them you oppose H.R. 31 and any fast-tracking of it.
House “suspension” fast-track procedures are supposed to be used only for “noncontroversial” legislation. But fast track consideration of this bill is nothing short of an attempt to keep us in Syria. Insisting that the U.S. must stay in Syria forever is anything but “noncontroversial.”
The only way to end the carnage in Syria is through a political solution, not by sanctions that hurt the people. Rather than imposing new sanctions and appealing to Trump to continue military involvement, Congress should take every opportunity to encourage a U.N.-led political negotiation process.
The people of Syria need constructive proposals for resolving one of the greatest humanitarian crises of our times. Send a message to your Representative in the House telling them you oppose H.R. 31 and not to fast-track it.
Towards peace across the world,
Medea and the entire CODEPINK team: Ann, Ariel, Brienne, Carley, Caroline, Jodie, Kelly, Kirsten, Lily, Mark, Nancy, Paki, Ryan, Sarah, Tighe and Ursula
