A Rare Victory In Congress
Hold on to your seat.
Yesterday, in the midst of the most vicious and partisan political season in ages, we moved the first disarmament treaty in decades another major step towards ratification. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 14 – 4 to approve sending the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) to the full Senate for a vote.
And it’s all because of the support of people like you. About a month ago, Peace Action West launched a national phone bank, coordinating the efforts of 24 groups around the country to push key Republicans to support the treaty.
Our efforts are paying off. We’ve been hearing from Senate offices that their phones have been ringing off the hook about the New START. In just a few weeks, we generated over 4000 phone calls to key Republicans, and flipped two crucial Republican votes on the committee to support the treaty, helping it pass with flying colors.
We’re going up against major odds. Very powerful and very right wing organizations like the Heritage Foundation and Liberty Central have been going full tilt to undermine the treaty. But the amazing fact is, while they have the high-priced ad campaigns and unbelievably cozy relationships with policymakers, our grassroots efforts are outpacing theirs. Our pressure on Republicans to stop playing politics with New START is working, and we are building momentum for other senators to do the right thing and ratify the treaty.
I hope you feel some ownership over this progress, because we truly couldn’t do it without you. Especially at a time when U.S. political culture seems completely crazy it is all the more sweet to see how skilled organizers and concerned citizens can move forward towards change. Even through an institution as mixed up as the U.S. Senate.
I want to take this opportunity to introduce Katie Heald, who joined our team this summer and has been leading the charge on this campaign. Please click here to read her post on what’s to come, and give her a big pat on the back for her incredible work.
She’ll be letting you know soon when your help can make a difference.
