School of the Americas

School of the Americas Watch sends the following Legislative Action alert:

On June 9, 2006, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) introduced an amendment to the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill that would have cut funding for the SOA/WHINSEC. While the amendment failed by a 15 vote margin, the close vote indicated the power of grassroots lobbying to influence key leaders in one of the most conservative Congresses in recent memory.

Thirty-five Representatives who opposed the amendment lost their seats in the 2006 mid-term elections, heightening the prospect of closing the school with a vote in the 110th Congress. The bill, which will have a new number assigned in late March, is expected to be re-introduced this Spring.

We still have a long way ahead of us and we ask that you continue to support our efforts to close down the SOA/WHINSEC by keeping up the pressure on Congress and urging your Representative to co-sponsor Rep. McGovern's bill to suspend training at the SOA/WHINSEC.

You can learn more here.