sfnatldc@labrea.stanford.edu (09/20/89)
SANE/FREEZE WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE REPORT--Week of September 18, 1989
The Weekly Legislative Report is updated on the second business day
of each week by the SANE/FREEZE: Campaign for Global Security
Legislative Department. This report is based on the political
objectives adopted by the SANE/FREEZE National Congress. Please
help us by reporting your local lobbying activities to Mark W.
Harrison at (202) 546-7100 or send us a message via "mail" on
PeaceNet to sfnatldc.
ACTION ALERT
**Urgent call for nationwide action--Please make this a priority**
On Wednesday, September 20, the Senate is scheduled to consider the
FY 90 Defense Appropriations bill. Mobilize your grassroots lobby
network to urge your Senators to support:
*the Kerry-Jeffords amendment to prohibit funds for the testing of
anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons as long as the Soviet Union refrains
from such tests; and
*the Leahy-Hatfield-Wirth amendment to eliminate procurement funding
for the B-2 Bomber in FY 1990.
The number for the Capitol Hill switchboard is (202) 224-3121.
UPDATE
**Current status and messages for ongoing lobbying**
THE BAD NEWS - ECONOMIC CONVERSION STRIPPED FROM DPA
Last week Rep. Mary Rose Oakar (D-OH), Chairwoman of the Economic
Stabilization Subcommittee of the House Banking Committee, and Sen.
Donald Riegle (D-MI), Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee,
decided not to include an economic conversion provision in the
Defense Production Act (HR 486). The main reason given: lack of
time to give full consideration to changes in the DPA. The DPA must
be reauthorize by October 1, the beginning of the new fiscal year.
They decided to just reauthorize for one year as it is. Economic
conversion was also considered to be a "controversial" issue. The
Savings & Loans issue, the main preoccupation of the Banking
Committees, definitely hurt us this year.
Seymour Melman, an economic conversion expert, did do an excellent
job in his meetings with Sen. Riegle and other Members of Congress
on economic conversion. Unfortunately, it was not enough.
Message: Write/call Rep. Oakar and Sen. Riegle to express
disappointment of their decision not to include economic conversion
as a provision in the Defense Production Act:
Rep. Mary Rose Oakar Sen. Donald Riegle
2231 Rayburn 105 Dirksen
Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 225-5871 (202) 224-4822
THE GOOD NEWS - SENATE ELIMINATES FUNDS FOR TRIDENT II MISSILE
Last week the Senate Appropriations Committee agreed to a decision
by its Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to eliminate $1.8 billion
in procurement funds for the Trident II (D-5) Missile. This was not
expected to happen. Unfortunately, the reason given to eliminate
the funds was not because the missile is a first-strike weapon, but
because of two recent testing failures. The Committee did increase
funds by $70 million--to $286 million--for Trident II missile
development.
The Appropriations Committee also cut Star Wars funds to $3.7
billion (including Energy Dept funds for Star Wars brings it to
$3.9 billion).
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON FY 90 DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL
Several meetings took place last week by the Conference Committee on
the FY 90 Defense Authorization bill. None of the big differences
between the House and Senate versions of the bill have been worked
out. A strategic panel has been set up to deal with MX/Midgetman,
Star Wars and the B-2 Bomber. House members on the panel are:
(Democrats) Aspin, Bennett, Dellums, Schroeder, Mavroules, McCurdy,
Spratt, Hochbrueckner, Brennan, and Evans; (Republicans) Dickinson,
Davis, Hansen, Kyl, Dornan and McCrery. Senate members are:
(Democrats) Exon, Glenn, Gore, Levin, Kennedy, and Bingaman;
(Republicans) Thurmond, Cohen, Wilson, Wallop, and Gorton.
Message: See Legislative Report for the week of September 11, 1989.
WORKSHOP FOR SANE/FREEZE CD & STATEWIDE COORDINATORS
There will be a workshop on the SANE/FREEZE Grassroots Lobbying
Network at the National Congress, Nov. 16-19, in Oakland,
California. All SANE/FREEZE Congressional Districts and Statewide
Coordinators are strongly urge to attend this workshop scheduled on
Friday, Nov. 17, 9-11 AM. BE THERE!!!
1988 SANE/FREEZE VOTING RECORDS
There are still plenty of 1988 SANE/FREEZE Voting Records available.
Call or write the SANE/FREEZE Literature Department.
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Patt Haring | United Nations | FAX: 212-787-1726
patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information | BBS: 201-795-0733
patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange | (3/12/24/9600 Baud)
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