Write or Call Your Member of Congress Today: Make the U.S. Come Clean on Drone Killings

[UPDATE: June 5, 2014 - Support for the "Come Clean on Drone Killings" bill is growing! There are now 9 co-sponsors, in addition to the original 2 sponsors -- for a total of four (4) sponsors from California alone.  See the list below - where does your representative stand?)


In the past, we've noted on this site that California's congressional delegation includes a lot of adherents to the drones caucus. (See California Congressional Delegation: Drones 'R' Us!)

But today, people protesting drones are contacting their representatives to encourage support for H.R.4372: the Targeted Lethal Force Transparency Act. If passed, the bill will require the Obama administration to come clean about the killings it has carried out using drones -- killings that, up until now, the administration has been able to pretend don't exist.

So now's the time: write or call your member of Congress today. 

To determine what district you live in, go to http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

To see an example of a constituent letter, see An Open Letter to Congressman Mike Quigley on H.R.4372: the Targeted Lethal Force Transparency Act


California Congressional Delegation

(Members of the Progressive Caucus are presumed to lean in favor of the bill and are marked Progressive Caucus; members of the Drones Caucus are presumed to lean against the bill and are marked Drones Caucus. As for those who are members of both . . . ?)

CA01 - Doug LaMalfa - 202-225-3076 email
CA02 - Jared Huffman - (202) 225-5161 email (Progressive Caucus)
CA03 - John Garamendi - (202) 225-1880 email
CA04 - Tom McClintock - (202) 225-2511 email
CA05 - Mike Thompson - (202) 225-3311 email
CA06 - Doris Matsui - (202) 225-7163 email
CA07 - Ami Bera - (202) 225-5716 email
CA08 - Paul Cook - 202.225.5861 email
CA09 - Jerry McNerney - (202) 225-1947 email
CA10 - Jeff Denham - (202) 225-4540 email
CA11 - George Miller - (202) 225-2095 email (Progressive Caucus)
CA12 - Nancy Pelosi - (202) 225-4965 email
 
CA13 - Barbara Lee - (202) 225-2661 email (Progressive Caucus) CO-SPONSOR - 5/7/2014
CA14 - Jackie Speier - (202) 225-3531 email CO-SPONSOR - 5/1/2014

CA15 - Eric Swalwell - (202) 225-5065 email
CA16 - Jim Costa - 202-225-3341 email
CA17 - Michael Honda - (202) 225-2631 email (Progressive Caucus)
CA18 - Anna Eshoo - (202) 225-8104 email
CA19 - Zoe Lofgren - (202) 225-3072 email
CA20 - Sam Farr - (202) 225-2861 email (Progressive Caucus)
CA21 - David Valadao - 202-225-4695 email
CA22 - Devin Nunes - (202) 225-2523 email (Drones Caucus)
CA23 - Kevin McCarthy - (202) 225-2915 email
CA24 - Lois Capps - (202) 225-3601 email (Drones Caucus)
CA25 - Howard McKeon - 202) 225-1956 email (Drones Caucus)
CA26 - Julia Brownley - 202-225-5811 email
CA27 - Judy Chu - (202) 225-5464 email (Progressive Caucus)

CA28 - Adam Schiff - (202) 225-4176 email ORIGINAL SPONSOR

CA29 - Tony Cárdenas - 202-225-6131 email
CA30 - Brad Sherman - (202) 225-5911 email
CA31 - Gary Miller - (202) 225-3201 email
CA32 - Grace Napolitano - (202) 225-5256 email
CA33 - Henry Waxman - (202) 225-3976 email
CA34 - Xavier Becerra - (202) 225-6235 email (Progressive Caucus)
CA35 - Gloria Negrete McLeod - 202-225-6161 email
CA36 - Raul Ruiz - (202) 225-5330 email
CA37 - Karen Bass - (202) 225-7084 email (Progressive Caucus)
CA38 - Linda Sánchez - (202) 225-6676 email
CA39 - Edward Royce - (202) 225-4111 email
CA40 - Lucille Roybal-Allard - (202) 225-1766 email (Progressive Caucus)
CA41 - Mark Takano - (202) 225-2305 email (Progressive Caucus) (Drones Caucus)
CA42 - Ken Calvert - (202) 225-1986 email
CA43 - Maxine Waters - (202) 225-2201 email (Progressive Caucus)
CA44 - Janice Hahn - (202) 225-8220 email (Progressive Caucus)
CA45 - John Campbell - (202) 225-5611 email (Drones Caucus)
CA46 - Loretta Sanchez - (202) 225-2965 email
 
CA47 - Alan Lowenthal - (202) 225-7924 email (Progressive Caucus) (Drones Caucus) CO-SPONSOR - 5/7/2014

CA48 - Dana Rohrabacher - (202) 225-2415 email (Drones Caucus)
CA49 - Darrell Issa - 202-225-3906 email (Drones Caucus)
CA50 - Duncan Hunter - (202) 225-5672 email
CA51 - Juan Vargas - 202-225-8045 email
CA52 - Scott Peters - 202-225-0508 email
CA53 - Susan Davis - (202) 225-2040 email

[SEE: hub page for all Resources to SUPPORT the "Come Clean on Drone Killings" Act (Schiff/Jones HR 4372: the Targeted Lethal Force Transparency Act)]

Related posts

First Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) called the U.S. on the carpet for dodging the call from the international community to come clean about its drone killings. Then Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Walter Jones (R-NC) submitted a bill calling for drone transparency. So ... are we finally going to get the truth?

(See REAL Progressives Demand that the U.S. Come Clean on Drone Killings)

A 2013 U.N. report makes it clear that the U.S. has to report fully on all its drone attacks.

(See 2014: The Year of Transparency (for U.S. Drone Use)?)

The reason the Administration is hiding truth about drones is that they don't have a satisfactory answer for how decisions about drone strikes are made.  As we have known all along, we need the public to think about how crummy the whole drone program is, and then they will be ready to be on our side. The best way to get them really thinking is to shine a spotlight on the secrecy, evasiveness, and deceit involved in the U.S. drone program.

(See Drone Killings: Come Clean )

In the 17th: "But has he got drones …. "

Incumbent Rep. Mike Honda (D), CA-17

In one of the really interesting stories emerging in this midterm election year, The New York Times described today the challenge by Ro Khanna to the incumbent Congressman Mike Honda in California's 17th congressional district.

Apparently, Khanna is heavily favored (and supported) by leaders in the high-tech industry, and that matters in the Silicon Valley-centered 17th. But is it possible that something matters even more?

Honda is described as a progressive, civil libertarian, advocate for the "everyman."  "He bleeds little guy," the Times quotes Prof. Larry Gerston saying. Not insignificantly, Honda's "views on politics and civil rights were molded by his family's internment during World War II," says the Times.

Khanna, on the other hand, has the support of Google and Facebook.  And he's outraising Honda in a district that traditionally has expansive campaigns.

But has he got drones?

Democratic challenger Ro Khanna

The tech economy may be an especially "Silicon Valley" issue, but nationwide people are asking if the 2014 midterms be a referendum on the Obama administration's surveillance, secrecy, and assassinations.  At least, they are in every district where there's any kind of race going on.

And, of course, Silicon Valley companies have their own special place in the pantheon of surveillance actors.

So an interesting question emerges:  where do the contenders in California's 17th stand . . . on surveillance, secrecy, and assassinations?

Related posts


There will be elections for 435 House seats in 2014. In at least some of those races, U.S. surveillance, secrecy, and assassinations will be an issue.

Herewith an Insider's Guide to the 7 S's (surveillance, secrecy, and assassinations) in the 2014 Midterms.

(See Will the 2014 Midterms be a Referendum on Obama's Surveillance, Secrecy, and Assassinations? )

Over fifty (50) members of the U.S. Congress have banded together to increase the use of drones ("unmanned aerial vehicles") - including twelve (12) members from California. They are all members of the Unmanned Systems Caucus, also known as the Congressional drones caucus. One of the co-chairs of the caucus is Buck McKeon, who represents California's 25th district. (Read about the members of the drones caucus from other states.)

(See California Congressional Delegation: Drones 'R' Us!)



Major tech companies have put out a clarion call today: Reform Government Surveillance! AOL, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Twitter, and Yahoo have discovered that the public is fed up with being spied on and know exactly where to point the finger -- ?

(See Surveillance and the Tech Companies: THE JIG IS UP!)

January 8: Beale 9 Anti-Drone Hearing

Next Occupy Beale Anti-drone Encampment:
Jan. 30-31, Wed. 3pm to Thurs. 9am, Meet at Main Gate, N. Beale Rd.

by Toby Blome

Five members of the "Beale 9" were charged with trespassing at a January 8, 2013 hearing; four arrestees had charges dismissed.

Background: On Oct. 31st, 60 peace activists gathered at Beale AFB to stand in unity against U.S. drone warfare. The main gate was blocked for nearly five hours. Utimately, nine activists were arrested. Their arraignment was January 8, 2013, in federal court in Sacramento. Here's the report back on a most amazing day! (Full photo gallery)


PHASE 1: Pre-hearing Rally and Arraignment

35-40 activists from Sacramento, Grass Valley, Chico, SF Bay Area and Salinas participated in a lively pre-hearing rally. Large anti-drone banners and signs colored the sidewalks around the Federal courtroom for hours -- before, during and after the rally! (Guari's photos tell all.) Thanks to all who supported it!

The Arraignment: Cres put together an awesome legal team of at least 9 lawyers to represent us all pro bono, the "Dream Team," as he calls it. Attorneys Michael Hansen and Mark Reichel were there on our behalf at the arraignment.

Five arrestees pled "not guilty" to trespassing charges. The prosecution requested that 4 of the 9 arrestees have their charges dismissed due to "weak evidence," according to the SacBee news report. No explanation was given in the courtroom.

Trial date was set for the April 15 for the "BEALE 5". Their attorneys are likely to request a jury trial.

Details in Sharon's Blog.


PHASE 2: Concerned Citizens appeal to Congress

A serious effort was made to demand congressional oversight over the illegal and immoral extra-judiciary killings under the U.S. drone warfare program executed by Obama's lawless Administration. Several dozen activists delivered signed letters to staff from the offices of Sen. Barbara Boxer and Rep. Doris Matsui. We also delivered copies of revealing research studies on the negative effects of the U.S. drone program and civilian casualties.

• "Living Under Drones: Death, Injury and Trauma to Civilians from US Drone Practices in Pakistan"
• "Counting Deaths from Drone Strikes"

BOXER: Two attempts in the morning to have a meeting with Sen. Boxer's staff were fruitless, even though contact was made days earlier to let them know there were constituents gathering that day from the greater N. California area.

However, a revealing photo was on the office wall revealing the Senator's priorities re: peace and war.

Photo on the wall in Senator Boxer's office. in the background is the Global Hawk,
the surveillance drone flown at Beale, and an accomplice in the targeted killings.
Of note, a Google search revealed Brig. General Polumbo now works at Langley AFB,
right next to CIA headquarters...ummmm!!! Does Sen. Boxer stand with Peace or War??

MATSUI: In contrast, though the visit was unscheduled, Ellie Longo, a staff member from Rep. Doris Matsui's office, did allow a large group of activists to meet with her informally and voice their complaints about U.S. drone killings in an extensive exchange. She ultimately showed respect and concern for why we were there and promised to try to arrange a meeting with us with the Congresswoman and to give her our signed letters.

(Use the model letters we've provided to send a letter to your representives!)


PHASE 3: Afternoon Anti-Drone Protests at Military Bases

Beale AFB: 11-12 people from Bay Area, Sacramento, Linda, Nevada County and Chico "caravaned" to the Main Gate for a lively and impassioned afternoon protest with banners for a couple of hours. Jeffrey led them all in uplifting peace songs. Barry Binks from Sacramento VFP was courageous enough to go solo to the Wheatland/S. Beale Rd. gate where he reported there was lots of traffic.

Travis AFB: 2 activists stood vigil and held out 2 very large banners and flashed peace signs. At both bases, large photos of a Pakistani child victim's face was displayed to show Americans the true face of drone warfare. These often evoked angry responses, as they aroused uncomfortable feelings. But our purpose is to uncover the truth about our "sanitized" drone wars, no matter how difficult it is to face the reality. A truth our mass media fails so terribly to reveal.

A bazillion thanks to all who came to support the amazing day. Hope to see more of you participating as this movement grows!


Next Occupy Beale Anti-drone Encampment

Jan. 30-31, Wed. 3pm to Thurs. 9am, Meet at Main Gate, North Beale Rd.

With much appreciation,
The "Beale 9",
Shirley, Sharon, Janie, David, Jan, Louie, MacGregor, Barry and Toby


FULL MEDIA COVERAGE:

The Sacramento Bee, January 9, 2013: Beale AFB drone protesters arraigned in Sacramento federal court

Appeal Democrat, January 9, 2013: Charges against 4 Beale protesters dropped

The Union, January 9, 2013: 5 Beale protesters arraigned on federal charges

Eastern District of California Blog, January 9, 2013: Beale AFB Protesters Arraigned (This blog focuses on news and information regarding practice in the federal courts in the Eastern District of California, with a special emphasis on criminal and civil rights cases.)

Ken Butigan in Waging Nonviolence, January 10, 2013: How can you resist the age of drones?

Other: KCRA 3, local TV did a story.

Tell Congress: STOP THE DRONE KILLING!

Below are two versions of a suggested letter to your member of Congress or Senator. You can use Govtrack to identify and link to the address for the representative from your district.

VERSION ONE

(Date)

Dear Rep./Sen. ______________,

Last month, 20 of our precious and innocent children were killed in a barrage of bullets from weapons carried by someone unknown to them. Our country still reels from the numbing news. We mourn for them, for their families, and for our country.

In Yemen and in Pakistan, countries with which we are not at war, at least 178 precious and innocent children have been killed by U.S. drone strikes launched by someone unknown to them. As a people, why do we not respond with equal revulsion and sympathy?

Are the children of foreign lands any less precious? And is the government that is responsible for their deaths any less guilty of murder than the Newtown gunman?

You hold in your hands, by the power of your office, the capacity to stop the carnage. In the name of decency, and in memory of the innocent children the world over killed by our drones, I ask you to co-sponsor HR 819, directing the U.S. Attorney General to transmit to the House any and all legal documents and memoranda relating to the use of drones by the U.S. government.

I will look to you, as my elected representative, to sign on to HR 819 before the end of this month. Your failure to do so will announce to the world your complicity in the murder by assault weapons of children no less precious than our own.

Most sincerely,

(Name)
(Address)


VERSION TWO

(Date)

Dear Rep./Sen. _________________,

As members of local peace and justice organizations opposed to the continuation of the Bush administration’s failed wars, we are writing to condemn the Obama Administration's use of unmanned aerial vehicles or “drones”, to kill citizens in at least seven countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, the Philippines, Somalia and Yemen. The use of drones is wrong on many levels: the illegality and immorality of assassinations, the violation of international law and the Constitutional protection of due process, the targeting killing of civilian populations, and the violation of national sovereignty. Equally wrong and quite disturbing are killings by U.S. drones of at least 3 U.S. citizens, including a 16 year old boy born in Denver, Colorado, all in violation of their right to due process. We are especially troubled by the Obama Administration's refusal to release, even to Congress, the documents which purportedly give the U.S. legal cover to determine who is placed on the "kill list." A recent House Resolution, HR 819, sought to make these documents public.

The use of killer drones does and will continue to create more enmity toward the United States. Because of the lack of transparency, it remains unclear how many civilians have suffered losses of life, limb or property as a result of strikes. A recent Columbia University study gives strong evidence to support high rates of civilian casualties. Another recent and important study by Stanford and New York Universities revealed in detail how communities living under drone warfare in Pakistan are being "terrorized" by the daily presence of these drones in their skies. High rates of psychological trauma, suicide, and PTSD are just a few of the symptoms, as well as the serious disruption of their entire social structure. We are providing copies of these studies to your staff, and hope that you will take the time to read them. Sadly, Obama has drastically increased the use of drone strikes compared to former President Bush, leading to rampant anti-U.S. sentiment throughout these areas of conflict.

Furthermore, we are also concerned that U.S. drones are used to eliminate political opponents of corrupt leaders. This happened in 2010 in Yemen, when a state governor who opposed President Ali Abdullah Saleh was labeled as a leader of Al Qaeda and killed.

We believe that Congress should uphold its responsibilities in providing the checks and balances needed to protect us from an executive branch that has run amok, acting in total disregard to International and Constitutional law. This would have a profound effect around the world, and could initiate a process of healing. As citizens, we do not see the people of Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, the Philippines, Somalia and Yemen as enemies. They are our brothers and sisters. Instead of wasting billions of dollars on immoral drone strikes, take the money from the program and give it to non-governmental organizations working on providing jobs and income to people so that they do not join militant groups. There would be tremendous support for such a program in these war-torn countries.

The illegal U.S. occupations and proliferating drone wars have been demonstrable failures. Now is the time to take a bold step for peace. Imagine becoming a country which has denounced the madness of war, and instead wants to assist and make friendship with the people of the Middle East, Central Asia, and the entire world.

We are asking you to do the following:

- Sponsor a bi-partisan bill calling for an immediate moratorium on all targeted killing by drones, with the ultimate goal of an in-depth Congressional investigation into the ineffectiveness and illegality of U.S. drone warfare.

-Work diligently to get your Congressional peers to support the above bill, and establish Congressional oversight over the illegal practices committed by the Obama Administration, the CIA and the Pentagon, as is your obligation by the U.S. Constitution.

-Sponsor a bi-partisan bill to address some of the most egregious practices of U.S. drone warfare, calling for an immediate ban on:

a.) All extra-judicial killings of U.S. citizens by U.S. drones or by any other means, without due process. Stop the assassination of our own citizens.

b.) The practice of “Double-tapping”, or “secondary strikes”, by U.S. drones, which is clearly a war crime under international law, and has led to the killing of rescuers and medical relief workers, and has discouraged witnesses from providing aid to those injured in drone strikes.

c.) The practice of “signature strikes”, or killing of unknown individuals purely based on “suspicious behavior”, without any knowledge of their identity, which leads to very high rates of civilian deaths.

d.) The Obama Administration’s policy of calling all military-age males “militants” and therefore subject to being drone targets, which also leads to very high civilian death rates.

We would like a response to these requests in the next 30 days, for we feel the lives and well-being of every person that is potentially threatened by these drone attacks requires our and your urgent action. Should you agree to endorse a foreign policy with the goal of peace and justice, we will stand with you. Rejecting our requests will make you complicit in the immoral and lawless actions of the Obama Administration. We will then continue to protest, risk arrest and denounce a foreign policy of endless wars and illegal assassinations and hold Congress complicit with these policies.

We also request a meeting with you in the next month to discuss our proposal to immediately end killer drone strikes and to start a process of healing with the victims of U.S. wars. Please give serious consideration to our proposal of reconciliation and diplomacy rather than be complicit in the continued use of pernicious killer drones. We urge you to provide the necessary checks and balances against the executive branch, a responsibility required under the Constitution, which you have sworn an oath to uphold.

For a more peaceful world,

(Name)
(Address)

California Congressional Delegation: Drones 'R' Us!

Over fifty (50) members of the U.S. Congress have banded together to increase the use of drones ("unmanned aerial vehicles") - including twelve (12) members from California. They are all members of the Unmanned Systems Caucus, also known as the Congressional drones caucus. One of the co-chairs of the caucus is Buck McKeon, who represents California's 25th district. (Read about the members of the drones caucus from other states.)

Here are the California members of the Congressional drones caucus:

Randy Forbes

Randy Forbes represents California's 4th congressional district - in the NE corner of California.

Kevin McCarthy

Kevin McCarthy represents California's 22nd congressional district -- covering parts of San Luis Obispo, Kern, and Los Angeles counties, and anchored in Bakersfield.

Elton Gallegly

Elton Gallegly represents California's 24th congressional district -- covering most of Ventura and inland Santa Barbara counties.

Buck McKeon

Buck McKeon represents California's 25th congressional district -- covering part of Los Angeles County and extending out to broad stretches of interior California along the Nevada border.

David Dreier

David Dreier represents California's 26th congressional district -- spanning the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley from La Cañada Flintridge to Rancho Cucamonga.

Jerry Lewis

Jerry Lewis represents California's 41st congressional district -- encompassing the eastern region of the Greater Los Angeles Area known as the Inland Empire.

Ken Calvert

Ken Calvert represents California's 44th congressional district -- in the Orange County area.

Dana Rohrabacher

Dana Rohrabacher represents California's 46th congressional district -- covering part of Los Angeles County and Orange County, including Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, and Rancho Palos Verdes.

Loretta Sanchez

Loretta Sanchez represents California's 47th congressional district -- made up of parts of Orange County.

Darrell Issa

Darrell Issa represents California's 49th congressional district -- which includes San Diego.

Brian Bilbray

Brian Bilbray represents California's 50th congressional district -- the northern coastal region of San Diego County.

Duncan Hunter

Duncan Hunter represents California's 52nd congressional district -- consisting of many of San Diego's suburbs.