And if you go to IraqMoratorium.org, you can see what you can do to help nudge the Senate vote in the right direction. That vote may take place as early as this coming Tues, May 20th.

Details on the Senate bill:
The plan in the Senate is similar to the plan in the House: 3 separate amendments to be voted on separately.

1. $169 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through the summer of next year.
2. More than $25 billion in new domestic spending.

3. A measure that sets a goal for the president to transition troops out of a military role in Iraq by June 2009, and includes troop readiness standards.
UFPJ as a coalition is focusing our advocacy efforts on the $169 Billion funding amendment. We are not taking a position on the two other amendments -- although individual member groups may.

What lies ahead:
At each step of the way, we have an opportunity to raise our voices. If we loose one round, we can come back and score a victory in the next. We were very strong in round #1, when the House voted. We heard from Congressional staff that phones were ringing off the hook. Although the targets will change, and the funding bill will keep getting re-written, our message will be: Vote NO on any money to continue the war and occupation of Iraq!! Here are the next steps:

Step #2: Senate will vote as early as May 20 on the Iraq funding.

Step #3: After the Senate votes, most likely a Conference Committee made up of members of the House and Senate will reconcile the House-passed and Senate-passed versions of the bill. At this point our targets will be the conferees. This could happen as early as May 21!

Step #4: The compromise bill created by the conference committee will go to the House and the Senate for a vote. It is possible that this may happen before Congress breaks for Memorial Day recess (Friday, May 23).

Step #5: If both the House and the Senate pass the compromise bill, it will go to Bush. He has vowed to veto the bill if it contains any restrictions on his power to wage endless war, or if it includes any domestic spending that might actually help people in this country. If he does veto the bill then we will have to see what Congress does and so we may have to continue this effort.