Vote NO today on Senate Amendment 629
Capitol Switchboard (202) 224- 3121
Senator John Kyl (R- AZ) has introduced a shameful and xenophobic amendment to the Omnibus Appropriations Legislation that would restrict funds for Palestinian refugees wanting to resettle in the United States. The amendment will be voted on today (Monday) so please contact your Senators and ask them to vote NO on S.A. 629. According to the United States Refugee Council:
"There is currently no effort, program, nor policy that promotes the resettlement of Palestinian refugees from Gaza to the U.S. This amendment is therefore not only unnecessary, but it would also establish for the first time since the passage of the 1980 Refugee Act, a law that discriminates against a particular nationality in a specific geographic region."
Please contact your Senators office and tell them to vote NO today on S.A. 629.
Capitol Switchboard (202) 224- 3121
Target list of Senators to call today (Monday).
Voinovich, Lugar, Snowe, Collins, McCain, Graham, Specter, Baucus, Tester, Lieberman, Schumer, Byrd, Ben Nelson, Dorgan, Bayh., Lugar, Murkowski and Corker.
The Arab American Institute offered the following information about some members.
Republicans:
Lugar and Voinovich are the most likely to take the lead in opposing this from the GOP side. Corker and Murkowski should be targeted after their 'no' vote on the Iran amendment. Snowe and Specter, are both concerned with this amendment. It is unlikely that they would work proactively to take this out, but they might follow the lead of other Republicans in voting 'no'.
Democrats:
Casey, Cardin, Dodd, Durbin, Harkin, Kennedy, Kerry, Leahy, and Menendez are friendly members with the stature and/or relevant committee jurisdiction to do something behind the scenes.
Feingold, Feinstein, and Lautenberg have been constructive on ME foreign policy and should be targeted.
Bayh, Landrieu, Lieberman, Schumer (and Gillibrand), Nelson (FL) and Nelson (NE) are the Dems most likely to vote 'yes', so should be approached from that partisan perspective.
Talking Points:
Here is a list of talking points provided by the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
American Immigration Lawyers Association
Oppose the Kyl Amendment #629 Discriminatory Refugee Admissions Amendment
The Kyl amendment #629 would prevent the U.S. from admitting Palestinian refugees from Gaza.
• The U.S. should not set a precedent of discrimination against refugees on the basis of nationality, ethnicity, or religion, etc. No other nationality is singled out in this way under current law.
• There were no refugees from Gaza admitted to the U.S. and it is unlikely that there would be any resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza in Fiscal Year 2009. This amendment is unnecessary.
• The U.S. is the world leader in the defense of principles of non-discrimination when it comes to refugee protection. We have a long standing history of admitting refugees from all nationalities, ethnicities, and religions who are in need of protection from harm.
• Any refugee who meets the strict criteria of the U.S. refugee program and DHS security protocols should have access to our program irrespective of his/her nationality, ethnicity, or religion.
• This amendment could harm our national security by sending a terrible signal to the Middle East at a time when we are trying to restore America's image around the world.
Please prevent discrimination against refugees by voting against this amendment.
Please contact your Senators immediately and ask them to vote NO on S.R. 629.
Capitol Switchboard (202) 224- 3121