Advance
Report 2000
Affiliate Reports
Friends Committee on National Legislation
“The basic Quaker trust in the Light within leads to our trust in the inherent dignity and sacredness of each person. This trust...underlies our social witness. War, violence. . . injustice . . .prejudice and discrimination, the plights of starving, home-less and disadvantaged people, and. . .exploitation of people or nature's resources—all these. . .call us to action in obedience to the Spirit.” Baltimore Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice
FCNL is a Quaker lobby in the public interest, devoted to furthering the causes of international peace and social justice at home and abroad. FCNL seeks to follow the leadings of the Spirit, increasing open dialog, and promoting cooperation among those with varied viewpoints. During 1999, we have worked to accomplish FCNL's primary purpose: to bring the concerns, experiences, and testimonies of the Religious Society of Friends to bear on policy decisions in the nation's capital.
This past legislative year was characterized by a number of historic national and international crises that called for FCNL's vision, leadership, and witness. From Kosovo to Iraq to East Timor one violent episode followed another. Political repercussions from the impeachment trial of the President polarized Congress for most of this session of the 106th Congress.
Against a backdrop of U.S. military interventionism abroad and impeachment at home, in a highly partisan atmosphere, FCNL labored with Congress and the Administration to discern better ways to address on-going violent civil and international conflicts and to address the root causes of violence and suffering at home and abroad.
Specifically, in the First Session of the 106th Congress, FCNL staff worked with the FCNL General Committee, Friends, volunteers, and like-minded people on the following legislative priorities.
Promoting Global Security: The partisan politics that characterized the impeachment proceedings had a direct impact on the politics of arms control, just as the bombing of Serbia and Iraq had a direct impact on progress in arms control and disarmament in the international arena.
After six years of hard work for the Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers, a version of the Code is now law. Legislation to further a Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers was enacted last year. Although the legislation is a compromise with flaws and omissions, it is a significant political and legislative victory. The political debate is no longer whether U.S. weapons transfers are a problem but how to address the problem.
FCNL went all out to persuade the Senate to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. In addition to activating our own constituency of 10,000 FCNL supporters, FCNL's central role was to focus on national religious leaders. Our efforts led to President Clinton's gathering with national religious leaders on the White House lawn to speak in favor of ratification.
Although the treaty was voted down, FCNL staff and colleagues recognize that the immense efforts of activists last fall are of keen importance for future arms control. The national press has highlighted arms control in a manner unprecedented in recent years. The shocked reaction of the international community to this vote has been widely reported. FCNL played a key role in generating media attention, and in strengthening critical relationships with key national policy-makers on this issue.
Additionally, FCNL continued to urge the U.S. government to sign the landmine ban treaty, and was deeply involved in protesting the ethnic cleansing and NATO bombing in Yugoslavia, in raising awareness about continued economic sanctions and U.S. bombing in Iraq, and in attempts to end ethnic violence in East Timor.
Resume full payment of United Nations dues, and fulfill past obligations: Congress passed legislation to pay a portion of the U.S. arrears to the UN. While far from the policy that FCNL has advocated over the last few years—paying the dues in full, on time and without conditions—the legislation represents an important political advance for this issue in this Congress and moves the U.S. closer to honoring its commitments to the UN.
Shift budget priorities away from military spending and toward meeting human needs: During the past year, FCNL spoke out to challenge the given to military spending, over spending on developing non-military, multilateral approaches to peace and security overseas and to advancing human security at home and abroad. A handful of members of Congress challenged renewed military spending. But their voices were largely drowned out in the clamor for "maintaining military readiness." We supported cuts in troops stationed in Europe, prohibitions on the use of U.S. military personnel and equipment in overseas air and trade shows, and cuts in funds for the School of the Americas. We worked to deter the militarization of U.S. aid to Columbia. At every turn we asked: "What about U.S. readiness for peace?!" Rep. McKinney (GA), the only member of the House Armed Services Committee to vote against the Defense Authorization bill, had FCNL's letter to the Hill published in the Congressional Record.
Reduce the disparity between rich and poor: The robust U.S. economy and low unemployment rates have left many in the U.S. better off. However, there is also disturbing evidence that the disparity between the wealthiest and poorest in the U.S. has worsened and that poverty has deepened for those on the bottom rungs of the economic ladder. The number of children living in poverty is particularly disturbing. Unfortunately, in the current congressional climate, the need to oppose legislation that would reduce justice and equity in the U.S. has consumed much of our time and effort. FCNL's work in this area included advocacy to increase the minimum wage, to increase funding for low-income nutrition programs, to ensure that Medicare benefits are available to all seniors, and for protection for patients enrolled in managed care plans. FCNL has been very active in generating constituent actions at critical junctures to ensure a full and accurate count in the year 2000 census.
Native American Advocacy: FCNL continued to play a lead role in advocacy on Native Alaskan concerns, joining in coalition with others to work on a long-term strategy to broaden national awareness and support for Alaskan subsistence issues. FCNL helped bring a dozen Alaskan tribal leaders to D.C. for activist training and lobby visits. FCNL was also a primary organizer of a successful Gathering of Friends on Native American Affairs, which drew together Friends from across the country and the theological spectrum to reaffirm their historic concern for Native Americans and explore leadings for future work. FCNL also produced several new sets of educational and advocacy materials for use with congressional staff and grassroots advocates.
Grassroots advocacy: In all issue areas, Washington-based Quaker lobbyists and interns were joined by a nationwide network of grassroots activists—Friends and friends who, with calm persistence wrote, phoned, e-mailed, and personally visited their members of Congress to advocate federal policies for practices of peace and social justice. A good portion of FCNL resources were devoted to activating, serving, and expanding this grassroots constituency through provision of resources such as the monthly FCNL Washington Newsletter, the quarterly FCNL Indian Report, weekly Legislative Action Messages, the FCNL website (www.fcnl.org), action alerts, and training for activists.
Securing FCNL's Future: In 1999, we expanded our Young Adult Outreach program which includes a DC Lobby Day, monthly meetings of Washington interns, and programs on Quaker college campuses. FCNL seeks the participation of young adults in our lobbying, policy development, and education work. As young adults articulate a vision of the peaceable kingdom, FCNL offers support and skills to young adults to work and lead effectively on concerns within the context of FCNL's mission. We strive to hear the unique concerns, creative insights, and visions which young adults may bring to FCNL policy and action.
Another element which is critical to FCNL's future is renovating the building which houses the offices of FCNL and the FCNL Education Fund. With support and approval of the FCNL General Committee, careful building and fundraising plans are being developed.
Quaker trust in the Light within undergirds our daily engagement with the public and our elected officials. Though we lack the power of money, though we don't deliver blocks of votes, though we eschew the power that comes from the barrel of a gun, we are well equipped for the challenge ahead. Acting in obedience to the Spirit, FCNL will continue our practical witness to the inherent dignity and sacredness of each person.
Joe Volk, Executive Secretary
