AMP-Sacramento: Call Rep. Matsui and demand she leave US tax money at home
LOBBY DAY ACTION ALERT
Rep. Matsui voted to give Israel nearly $1 billion more military funding this year
(SACRAMENTO 08/30/2012) – In coordination with the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation and local groups, the Sacramento chapter of the American Muslims for Palestine is calling for a Call-In Lobby Day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 30 of Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA5), who recently voted to send almost $1 billion additional funds to support the Israeli military, on top of the $3.1 billion already appropriated.
In May 2012, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense proposed to give Israel an additional $949 million in weapons on top of President Barack Obama’s request for $3.1 billion in military aid for Israel in the 2013 budget. This means that we as taxpayers may be giving Israel a whopping $4 billion in weapons this year-roughly 25 percent more than last year.
Also in May, Rep. Matsui voted for the U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act. A similar Senate version of this bill later became law. This bill calls upon the president to provide Israel with long-distance air refueling planes, unspecified “specialized munitions,” greater access to U.S. forward-deployed weapons stockpiles and weapons from the U.S. war against Iraq, as well as greater Israeli participation in NATO. Some or all of these steps could facilitate an attack by Israel on Iran. This bill shows that Israel’s allies in Congress are trying to push President Obama into greater confrontation with Iran.
TAKE ACTION
Call Rep. Doris Matsui at 916.498.5600 on Thursday, Aug. 30.
TALKING POINTS
Tell Rep. Matsui that the United States should not be giving Israel more money to start more “fires” in the Middle East when we can use the money here in our district to fund fire stations and fight forest fires around the state.
We need that money to help combat the effects of the severe recession. Make no mistake about it: more guns for Israel means less butter for us.
Tell the congresswoman you are also concerned that Israel's allies in Congress are trying to push President Obama into greater confrontation with Iran by giving Israel the means to do so.
The Call-In day is important because the following day, several people will be meeting with Rep. Matsui to express our concerns over her support for increased funding for the Israeli military.
Lobby Day sponsors include: American Muslims for Palestine-Sacramento, Physicians for Social Responsibility Sacramento, Palestinian-American Congress Sacramento, Jewish Voice for Peace Sacramento, Peace in the Precincts, US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, and individual concerned constituents.