John Kerry

If you ever needed a reminder of how broken Washington has become under one-party rule, we're getting it loud and clear in the closing hours of this session of Congress. Instead of sending a unified and unanimous signal to our troops on the front lines, Republicans are instead scheming to make a giveaway to the big oil companies their parting shot before Congress leaves Washington this winter. The Republicans' aim is sadly simple: mission accomplished for the big oil companies, mission unaccomplished for our troops, our environment, and America's real energy security.

In the very early hours this morning, Republican Senators, in a desperate legislative maneuver, have attached an arctic drilling proposal to the defense bill. They're putting oil companies ahead of our troops. Senator McCain got it right when he called this maneuver "disgusting."

If you agree, call your Senator now and help us get this special interest giveaway off the bill that is supposed to be helping our troops.

Call your Senators and tell them to stand up against this Republican abuse of power
The Military Officer's Association of America predicted this tactic last week: "We're concerned that insertion of any divisive, non-defense related issues at the last minute could further delay enactment of this crucial legislation. Both defense bills are urgently needed to support our military efforts. Congress is already three months late passing them, and needs to get off the dime."

Yesterday, a group of five high-profile generals sent a letter to Senator Frist that said: "It is not helpful to attach such a controversial non-defense legislative issue to a defense appropriations bill. It only invites delay for our troops as Congress debates an important but controversial non-defense issue on a vital bill providing critical funding for our nation's security."

Republican leaders know that drilling in the Arctic Refuge has nothing to do with this critical defense legislation. They know that just weeks ago, the arctic drilling proposal didn't have the votes to pass in the light of day because it's wrong for America. Now, the Republicans know where our generals stand on this matter. Will you join us in making them listen to our military?

Call your Senators and tell them to stand up against this Republican abuse of power

We have to make it clear that it's dead wrong for the Republican leadership in this Congress to break Senate rules in a last-ditch attempt to sneak through the arctic drilling proposal. Congress shouldn't keep our troops waiting in order to keep special interests happy.

Ask yourself: how long will our troops have to wait while Republican Senators attach unrelated, controversial ideological adventures that don't pass the test with the American people?

Call your Senators and tell them to stand up against this Republican abuse of power

I'm doing all I can to force the Republican leadership to surrender their irresponsible arctic drilling proposal. If they don't, I intend to spend a lot of time on the Senate floor talking about this. And if people want to call it a filibuster, that's fine by me.

I need your help today to lobby your Senators to take this controversial provision off the defense bill.

This is no small fight. What the Republicans are doing dishonors our troops, it dishonors the Senate, it breaks the public trust - and in this particular instance, it would lead to the destruction of one of America's most treasured wildlife refuges. I won't stand for it.

And next time these Republicans tell me that we have to destroy this wildlife refuge for our energy security, I'm going to tell them the truth that you and I know with every fiber of our being: we cannot drill our way to energy independence; we have to invent our way there. The best ways to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil are to conserve more, waste less, and develop more fuel-efficient cars so we use less oil and gas.

I'm not going to stand for the hollow, empty, more of the same energy policy written by Dick Cheney in secret meetings that puts at risk the troops this defense bill is meant to protect.

Call your Senators and tell them to stand up against this Republican abuse of power

Tell your Senators to oppose this underhanded attempt to hijack legislation for our troops to give an early Christmas present to the oil companies.

Thank you for fighting back. Your voice will make a huge difference.
Sincerely,
John Kerry