sfnatldc@labrea.stanford.edu (08/31/89)
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.
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SANE/FREEZE: CAMPAIGN FOR GLOBAL SECURITY
3RD ANNUAL NATIONAL CONGRESS
NOVEMBER 16-19, 1989
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
For more information contact Randy Coffin in the national office at
(202) 546-7100 after Sept. 4. Brochures have been mailed. BE THERE!
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UPDATE
**Current status and messages for ongoing lobbying**
ECONOMIC CONVERSION - CHANGE IN STRATEGY
Last week, there was a discussion among lobbyists supporting
economic conversion on legislative strategy. Our strategy had been
to work to get the Economic Stabilization Subcommittee of the House
Banking Committee to adopt the Weiss economic conversion bill (HR
101) as a substitute for the economic conversion provision (Title
II) in the Defense Production Act (HR 486). After a review of this
strategy, it was decided that we would work to strengthen the Title
II economic conversion provision. Specifically, we will work to
improve Title II by:
*lobbying to include language on mandated alternative use
committees; and
*supporting efforts by labor unions, led by the International
Association of Machinists (IAM), to include language protecting the
rights of workers and their unions when military contracts are
reduced, cut or canceled. [The President of IAM, George Kourpias,
is on the SANE/FREEZE board.]
Given the fact that Congress has completed much of its work on the
budget allocations, it was decided that we would work next year on
a funding mechanism for economic conversion should it remain a part
of the Defense Production Act (DPA).
Message:
1) If your Representative is a Member of the Economic Stabilization
Subcommittee, urge him/her to support an amendment to Title II of the
DPA (HR 486) requiring alternative use committees for plants, bases
and laboratories receiving defense contracts, and to support efforts
of organized labor to protect their workers should military
contracts be reduced, cut or cancelled. Tell them not to strip
Title II from the bill.
2) There is nothing wrong with urging your Representative to co-
sponsor HR 101, the Weiss economic conversion bill. This builds
support for economic conversion in Congress. Additional co-sponsors
are Evans and Panetta.
3) If your Senator is a Member of the Senate Banking Committee urge
him/her to attach an economic conversion provision with mandated
alternative use committees and labor protection to their version
of the DPA. Tell them to review the Weiss bill (HR 101) and Title
II of the House version of the DPA (HR 486).
[For a list of Members of the Banking Committees, see last week's
Legislative Report.]
We hope that this strategy change does not complicate your
economic conversion legislative efforts.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL
The Conference Committee on the FY 90 Defense Authorization bill
will meet in early September to iron out differences in House and
Senate versions of the bill.
Message: If your Representative or Senator is a conferee (see last
week's report) urge him/her to:
*Maintain spending levels for Star Wars, MX and B-2 Bomber adopted
by the House. Stand firm on no money for the Midgetman.
*Support Senate spending levels for DOE cleanup and the House
prohibition of on site preparation of SIS.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL
The Senate will consider its version of the FY 90 Defense
Appropriations bill in middle or late September. Two key arms
control amendments will be offered.
Message: 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
*Leahy amendment to kill the B-2 Stealth Bomber program
SOUTH AFRICA SANCTIONS
In September, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold
hearings on S. 507, the South Africa comprehensive sanction bill.
Committee members Sanford (D-NC) and Robb (D-VA) are key for
Committee passage.
Other Senators that should be urged to support S. 507 are:
Bingaman, Chafee, Coats, Conrad, Danforth, DeConcini, Dixon,
Domenici, Ford, Graham, Hatfield, Heinz, Heflin, Kasten, Reid,
Rockefeller, Shelby and Specter.
STOP U.S. EFFORTS TO UNDERMINE NICARAGUAN ELECTIONS
In September, there will be a vote in the House on a measure to the
FY 90 Intelligence Authorization bill to prohibit U.S. covert
actions aimed at influencing or undermining the Nicaraguan electoral
process. The Bush administration vehemently objects to such a ban,
preferring to keep its "options open." The prospect of U.S. covert
activities around the elections has caused a furor in Nicaragua--
setting the government on edge and calling into question the
integrity of the civilian opposition that might receive such aid.
Message: Urge your Representative to support an amendment to FY 90
Intelligence Authorization bill to ban U.S. covert actions in the
Nicaraguan elections scheduled for February 25, 1990.
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Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations
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