Iran-Naval Blockade in the House

Hmm...I missed this one (dang classes!) and it sure as heck needs to be defeated.

Just last week, Congress was on the verge of supporting a provocative and dangerous naval blockade of Iran. Quick approval had been expected, but thankfully, some of our friends in Congress put on the brakes.

The House leadership now has the real power to stop Congress from supporting what some have viewed as a resolution calling for war. Now's the moment for us to speak up:

Click here to sign our letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House leaders.

Now, there's a real chance to make a difference: Congress is having second thoughts about "Resolution 362" and its call for a naval blockade 1 — a classic act of war.

After initially supporting it, Reps. Wexler (D-FL) and Frank (D-MA) and have stated serious concerns with the resolution and will not support it in its current form. In addition, Rep. Cohen (D-TN), Allen (D-ME), and Clay (D-MO) have removed their names as cosponsors of Resolution 362. 2, 3, 4

Thanks to their leadership, Congress is now taking a second look at the Resolution. Our letter supports the work of these leaders to amend Resolution 362 in two ways:

1. Remove the language that calls for a naval blockade.
2. Add language that calls for direct American involvement in the negotiations with Iran, with the goal of stopping Iranian pursuit of nuclear weapons and its sponsorship of terror.

If the Resolution is not changed in these two ways, Congress must oppose it.

Let's be clear: we recognize the threat Iran poses to regional stability and to U.S. interests. But Resolution 362 in its current form undermines diplomatic efforts to address that threat. What better way to convince Iranian hardliners to pursue a nuclear weapon than to provoke them with a blockade?

Instead, we need tough, smart U.S. diplomacy — using carrots as well as sticks — to address Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Reps. Wexler, Frank, and Cohen have given us a crucial opening. Now's our moment to put a clear stop to this failed Iran policy of saber rattling and military threats.

Click Here to Sign Our Petition

We will deliver your message to Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer and Minority Leader Boehner.
And here is the rest of it.