Massachusetts Peace Action
Legislative Agenda – Federal – 2021/2022
Middle East / Forever Wars
Repeal of the Authorization for Use of Military Force;
H.R.255 [Sponsor: Barbara Lee (D-CA)]. MA Cosponsors: McGovern, Trahan, Auchincloss, Clark, Pressley. Total: 68.
This bill repeals the Authorization for Use of Military Force signed into law September 18, 2001.
MAPA Position: YES
Iran Diplomacy Act of 2021
S.434 [Sponsor: Ed Markey (D-MA)]. MA Cosponsors: Warren, Markey. Total: 10
This bill states that it is U.S. policy to (1) seek negotiations with Iran toward establishing a new agreement that closes off Iran’s paths to a nuclear weapon; (2) address Iran’s regionally destabilizing actions and bring Iran back to compliance with its human rights obligations, and (3) create an environment that fosters humanitarian trade with Iran.
MAPA Position: YES
Also See:
To repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002;
H.R.256 [Sponsor: Barbara Lee (D-CA)]. MA Cosponsors: McGovern, Trahan, Auchincloss, Clark, Moulton, Pressley. Passed the house by a vote of 216-206
S.J.Res.10 [Sponsor: Tim Kaine (D-VA)]. MA Cosponsors: Markey. Total: 19
This bill repeals the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.
MAPA Position: YES
Palestine / Israel
To promote and protect the human rights of Palestinians living under Israeli military occupation… etc
H.R.2590 [Sponsor: Betty McCollum (D-MN)]. MA Cosponsors: Pressley. Total: 27.
This legislation prohibits Israel from using U.S. taxpayer dollars in the Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem for: the military detention, abuse, or ill-treatment of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention; to support the seizure and destruction of Palestinian property and homes in violation of international humanitarian law; or, to extend any assistance or support for Israel’s unilateral annexation of Palestinian territory in violation of international humanitarian law.
MAPA Position: YES
A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to Israel of certain defense articles, including defense services and technical data.
H.J.Res.49 [Sponsor: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)]. MA Cosponsors: Pressley. Total: 14.
S.J.Res.19 [Sponsor: Bernie Sanders (I-VT)]. MA Cosponsors: None. Total: 0.
This resolution would express dissatisfaction with the proposed transfer of defense articles, defense services, and technical data to support weapons integration, flight test, and hardware delivery of Joint Direct Attack Munition variants and Small Diameter Bomb Increment I variants for end-use by the Ministry of Defense for Israel.
MAPA Position: YES
Nuclear Disarmament
Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2021
H.R.669 [Sponsor: Ted Lieu (D-CA)]. MA Cosponsors: McGovern, Auchincloss, Clark, Pressley. Total: 33.
S.1148 [Sponsor: Ed Markey (D-MA)]. MA Cosponsors: Markey, Warren. Total: 8
This bill prohibits the President from conducting a nuclear strike against an enemy that did not first launch a nuclear strike against the United States or a U.S. ally, unless Congress expressly authorizes such a strike.
MAPA Position: YES
Also See:
To establish the policy of the United States regarding the no-first-use of nuclear weapons.
H.R.2603 [Sponsor: Adam Smith (D-WA)]. MA Cosponsors: None. Total: 0
S.1219 [Sponsor: Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)]. MA Cosponsors: Markey, Warren. Total: 4
This bill would strengthen deterrence while reducing the chance of nuclear use due to miscalculation or misunderstanding. Codifying that deterring nuclear use is the sole purpose of our nuclear arsenal strengthens U.S. national security and would renew U.S. leadership on nuclear nonproliferation and disbarment.
MAPA Position: YES
To reduce and eliminate threats posed by nuclear weapons to the United States, and for other purposes.
H.R.3837 [Sponsor: James, McGovern (D-MA)]. MA Cosponsors: None. Total: 3
S.2019 [Sponsor: Edward, Markey (D-M)]. MA Cosponsors: None. Total:1
This bill would help reduce the threats posed by nuclear weapons to the United States, and for other purposes. By reducing threats, the United States and other countries can maintain a peaceful and just existence.
MAPA Position: YES
Nuclear Weapons Abolition and Economic and Energy Conversion Act of 2021
H.R.2850 [Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-At Large]. MA Cosponsors: McGovern. Total: 6
To provide for nuclear weapons abolition and economic conversion in accordance with District of Columbia Initiative Measure Number 37 of 1992, while ensuring environmental restoration and clean-energy conversion.
MAPA Position: YES
Fund Health Care Not Warfare
Investing in Cures Before Missles (ICBM) Act
H.R.2227 [Sponsor: Ro Khanna (D-CA)]. MA Cosponsors: McGovern, Pressley. Total: 14
S.982 [Sponsor: Ed Markey (D-MA)]. MA Cosponsors: None. Total: 3
The ICBM Act would stop the further development of the Pentagon’s new $93-96 billion ground-based strategic deterrent (GBSD) intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and direct those savings towards development of a universal coronavirus vaccine and towards the battle against other types of biothreats.
MAPA Position: YES
Robust International Response to the Pandemic Act
H.R.986 [Sponsor: Jesus Garcia (D-IL)]. MA Cosponsors: McGovern, Pressley, Lynch. Total: 20
S.67 [Sponsor: Dick Durbin (D-IL)]. MA Cosponsors: None. Total: 6
The bill directs United States representatives to multilateral development banks, such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), to assist developing countries as they fight COVID-19.
MAPA Position: YES
Latin American
To suspend United States security assistance with Honduras until such time as human rights violations by Honduran security forces cease and their perpetrators are brought to justice.
H.R.1574 [Sponsor: Henry Johnson Jr. (D-GA)]. MA Cosponsors: McGovern, Moulton, Pressley, Lynch. Total: 52
S.388 [Sponsor: Jeff Merkley (D-OR)]. MA Cosponsors: Warren, Markey. Total: 10
This bill would suspend certain United States assistance for the Government of Honduras until corruption, impunity, and human rights violations are no longer systemic, and the perpetrators of these crimes are being brought to justice.
MAPA Position: YES
North Korea
To expedite the provision of humanitarian assistance, including life-saving medical care, to the people of North Korea, and for other purposes.
H.R.1504 [Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI)]. MA Cosponsors: Pressley. Total: 2
S.690 [Sponsor: Ed Markey (D-MA)]. MA Cosponsors: Markey. Total: 1
This bill would expedite the provision of humanitarian assistance, including life-saving medical care, to the people of North Korea.
MAPA Position: YES
Racial Justice
Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act of 2021
H.R.1694 [Sponsor: Henry Johnson Jr. (D-GA)]. MA Cosponsors: McGovern, Trahan, Clark, Moulton, Pressley. Total: 75
This bill restricts the Department of Defense (DOD) from transferring certain surplus military property to federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies.
MAPA Position: YES
Also See:
George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021
H.R.1280 [Sponsor: Karen Bass (D-CA)]. Vote: 220-212. MA Yeses: All
This bill addresses a wide range of policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. It increases accountability for law enforcement misconduct, restricts the use of certain policing practices, enhances transparency and data collection, and establishes best practices and training requirements.
MAPA Position: YES
Climate Justice
The Green New Deal
H.Res.332 [Sponsor: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)]. MA Cosponsors: McGovern, Trahan, Auchincloss, Clark, Moulton, Lynch, Pressley, Keating. Total: 101
S.Res.166 [Sponsor: Ed Markey (D-MA)]. MA Cosponsors: Warren, Markey. Total: 12
This resolution calls for the creation of a Green New Deal with the goals of achieving greenhouse gas and toxic emissions reductions needed to stay under 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming, establishing millions of high-wage union jobs and ensuring economic security for all, investing in infrastructure and industry, securing clean air and water, climate and community resiliency, healthy food, access to nature, and a sustainable environment for all, and promoting justice and equality.
MAPA Position: YES
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Updated 5/26/2021