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After knee-jerk congressional funding for the Iraq invasion and occupation, and, more recently, the comatose nod to escalation of US troops in Afghanistan, passage of H.R. 2346, the 2009 97-billion Supplemental Appropriations Act, is in doubt in the House not because of the strength of the anti-war movement, which morphed into the elect-Obama-movement, nor due to the high suicide rate amongst veterans, but because the GOP is miffed the bill contains five billion to increase the lending capacity of the International Monetary Fund.

With Republicans opposed or on the fence about the supplemental, the power to defeat the war-funding bill rests in the hands of those in the Out of Iraq Caucus, led by California Congresswoman Maxine Waters, as well as with congress members in the Progressive Caucus and Congressional Black Caucus.

A few years ago, Waters strong, passionate, hands-on worked with Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles to host an Out of Iraq forum that easily drew 1,000 antiwar constituents to an Inglewood church, just south of Los Angeles. Due to fire safety concerns, the church closed its doors to hundreds still standing outside, told there was no more room. Now, more than ever, we need Waters and her trusted colleagues to recall the passion of their own anti-war constituents and take that passion to the halls, to the back rooms, to the floor of congress in a bold and courageous act of defiance to a new President elected by an anti-war base.

Anxious to win over anti-war Democrats, the House leadership stripped the supplemental of the Graham-Lieberman Detainee Photographic Records Protection Act of 2009, which would have allowed the administration to block the release of detainee photos.

There are 73 members of the Out of Iraq Caucus; only 39 Democrats need to join the Republicans and effectively block the supplemental war spending bill.

When the bill first came before the House, 51 anti-war Democrats opposed the money bill, so one can only imagine the carrots and the sticks the House leadership is now exerting on these original hold-outs. What do you want? Money for your district? Backing for your own legislation? Committee chairs? Support this or else?

It’s time for all anti-war leaning caucuses in the House to convene. Calling all members of the Out of Iraq Caucus, the Progressive Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus. We need you to stand strong against the pro-war legislation now before you.

According to a report on the Huffington Post, the House leadership hoped for a vote on the measure last Friday, but pulled the bill when it looked like it might be defeated.

What happens if President Obama and Speaker Pelosi can’t get enough votes for the supplemental? The military says it needs the next batch of billions by July; otherwise other budget accounts will be raided to pay for the wars that never end. I say, “Let the raids begin.” Then we can call it like it is — taxpayer theft.

If I were in Las Vegas, I wouldn’t bet odds on my 2010 congressional opponent Jane Harman voting to block the supplemental (quite the contrary) ; nor would I put money on California congress members Berman, Waxman, Sherman or Schiff, all of whom voted for the Iraq War Authorization and refuse to join the Out of Iraq Caucus. I might, however, press my luck on Waters, one of the original 132 House members who voted against the invasion of Iraq, and I might expect other Out of Iraq Caucus members like Diane Watson, Bob Filner, Lynn Woolsey and Barbara Lee to say nay, not another dime for these war crimes, but that’s only if the anti-war base that elected Obama speaks up at this critical moment.

According to Salon’s Glenn Greenwald, the House Democratic leadership is hoping to change the hearts and minds of key Democrats listed– here. On the list are Waters, Watson, Woolsey, Kucinch, and Congressman John Conyers, the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee who should not have to swallow such a bitter and bloody pill to stay in good favor with those who control the committee chairs.

With army commander Casey suggesting we need to occupy Iraq for another ten years and the Pentagon sending 20,000 additional troops to join the 50,000 already in Afghanistan, speaking up will require high-decibel action. On your marks, get set, dial.
202-224-3121

Marcy Winograd is the co-founder of the Los Angeles chapter of Progressive Democrats of America. Winograd is running for congress in 2010, challenging Jane Harman in California’s 36th district.
To contribute to her campaign, visit winograd4congress.com