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E-News: Iraq Policy Changes, Human Needs, & More www.fcnl.org * Support FCNL* Sign up for weekly updates from Washington * Update your email address March 15, 2007 Iraq: House Committee Approves New Policy Iran: Thousands Urge Congress to Stop the Slide to War PBS: NOW on Religious Delegation Trip to Iran FCNL in the News: Helena Cobban Calls for U.S. Talks with Syria From the Quakers’ Colonel: Bliss Versus Ignorance From the Hill: Modernizing Medical Care for 1.9 million Native Americans Grassroots Action: Call Congress to Fund Human Needs Photo of the Week: War is Not the Answer Read this newsletter online at: http://www.fcnl.org/email/e-newsletter/15mar07.htm Iraq: House Committee Approves New Policy Mark the fourth anniversary of the Iraq war with FCNL. The House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, March 15, approved the first binding measure rejecting the president’s failed strategy in Iraq and insisting on a new policy. The new policy, which is attached to a $125 billion Iraq war supplemental funding bill, requires the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq no later than August 2008. But this legislation will not become law unless approved by the full House and Senate. This weekend communities around the country will be marking the fourth anniversary of the U.S. invasion with vigils, demonstrations, and other events. We hope you will attend these events with War Is Not the Answer signs and hand out this flyer PDF to encourage our neighbors, friends, and associates to lobby Congress to end the war. Read updates on congressional action. Iran: Thousands Urge Congress to Stop the Slide to War One week after returning from a trip to Iran, FCNL's Executive Secretary Joe Volk and other religious leaders are actively lobbying Congress to support face-to-face diplomatic negotiations to avoid war with Iran. Join thousands of people who have already called their representatives to support legislation requiring the president to consult Congress before taking military action. PBS: NOW on Religious Delegation Trip to Iran The PBS Program “NOW” sent a cinematographer to follow the religious delegation that traveled to Iran recently to open a dialogue with Iranian religious and political leaders. The program is scheduled to air on Friday, March 23, at 9:30 pm (EST). Check your local TV listings for more details and to confirm the schedule. FCNL in the News: Helena Cobban Calls for U.S. Talks with Syria In a recent Christian Science Monitor column, FCNL’s new Friend in Washington Helena Cobban says the time is ripe for the US to engage Syria on Mideast issues. Writing from Damascus, Syria, Helena describes her 70-minute interview with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem. Read her column which has already been reprinted in more than 20 newspapers. From the Quakers’ Colonel: Bliss Versus Ignorance Find out why FCNL’s Senior Fellow for Military Affairs believes every cabinet secretary, undersecretary, head and deputy of independent government agencies, and every military flag officer (general or admiral) should be encouraged to learn about mythologist Joseph Campbell. From the Hill: Modernizing Medical Care for 1.9 Million Native Americans Representatives Frank Pallone (NJ), Nick Rahall (WV), and Don Young (AK) have introduced legislation to amend and update the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. This critical legislation, which is the primary legislation setting the parameters of medical care for 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives, has not been reauthorized for 15 years. Grassroots Action: Call Congress to Fund Human Needs The House and Senate Budget Committees are now creating the broad outlines for military spending and for programs to meet the needs of low income people here at home. Join FCNL and the Coalition on Human Needs by calling on your members of Congress to allocate at least $450 billion for "domestic discretionary spending" in the 2008 budget. Use the toll-free number, 1-800-459-1887, to tell your Representative and Senators about the value of real human security -- not the kind that can be bought with military contracts. Photo of the Week: War is Not the Answer A child with a War is Not the Answer sign during the January demonstration in Washington, D.C. Credit: Tara Herlocher Order your War is Not the Answer sign today! ________________________________________ Contact Congress and the Administration Subscribe to other FCNL legislative, policy, and action alert lists. ________________________________________ Friends Committee on National Legislation 245 Second St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-5795 fcnl@fcnl.org * http://www.fcnl.org phone: (202)547-6000 * toll-free: (800)630-1330 We seek a world free of war and the threat of war We seek a society with equity and justice for all We seek a community where every person's potential may be fulfilled We seek an earth restored.