Alert-From FCNL-Invest in Peace Action

There is a need for a dramatic increase in spending on the civilian instruments of national security - diplomacy, strategic communications, foreign assistance, civic action, and economic reconstruction and development."

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speaking at Kansas State University, 11/26/07

The failure of the U.S.'s unilateral military engagement in Iraq has fueled a growing understanding within the military that the U.S. needs diplomatic tools to help prevent war. But Congress has not yet invested in tools that can lead to a lasting peace.

Your representative can make an investment this year in building peace by supporting the Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act (H.R. 1084). Instead of sending the military to countries teetering on the brink of war or emerging from conflict, the U.S. could send civilian experts who specialize in training police, running hospitals and schools, improving farm production, and other specialties. These trained civilians would help governments strengthen the public institutions that meet people's basic needs and give them confidence in their government's ability to protect and support them.

Your action is needed now. Although the bill has bipartisan backing, it has not garnered enough support or cosponsors to move toward a vote in the House. Your representative's support of this bill can help it advance this year.

Take Action

Urge your representative to expand the U.S. toolkit for preventing conflict by cosponsoring the Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act (H.R. 1084). If your representative is already a cosponsor, thank her or him. Your encouragement and thanks will encourage your representative to further support ways of peacefully preventing conflict: http://action.fcnl.org/r/1706/42532/.

Background

Find out more about the Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act: http://action.fcnl.org/r/1707/42532/

Read Secretary Gates's speech: http://action.fcnl.org/r/1708/42532/