Feathers of Hope is a network of ordinary citizens who have joined together around a shared commitment to diminishing the power and influence of MAGA extremists in the House of Representatives.
Since January, 2023, we have been urging moderate Republicans and Democrats to form a bipartisan majority voting bloc in order to conduct our nation’s legislative business, and to defend the institution from its internal enemies.
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Ukraine Aid is Tied to the Immigration Bill
And its passage is doubtful
Last week we asked members of the Feathers of Hope network to support separating President Biden’s proposed $60 billion dollar aid package for Ukraine from the Immigration Bill so it could be passed without further delay ( Call to Action — Support Ukraine Aid ). Now that Republicans have shown they were never serious about passing immigration reform in the first place, the need for immediate passage of Ukraine aid is greater than ever.
Today we’re repeating our call to action.
While immigration reform is important, with many widespread implications, there is no actual security threat at our border. If the bipartisan compromise measure is unacceptable, let it go. We can’t waste time bickering about details that won’t be resolved.
Over the last few weeks, Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities have steadily increased. Every day counts. Bipartisan majority support remains strong in both Houses of Congress. It’s time to renounce demands of the MAGA extremist minority linking aid to US - Mexico border issues.
Please call your own Representative in Congress today. Urge them to separate and pass the weapons and aid package for Ukraine right away. If you don’t know their office phone number, you can call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
Also, please call the office of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA): (202) 225-4000. Remind him that Ukraine is fast running out of resources and needs our assistance immediately. Bring the combined aid package to the floor now.
In addition, here are the numbers of six influential “traditional Republicans” who have military, intelligence and/or foreign policy credentials. Their support can be decisive:
Don Bacon (R-NE-02): (202) 225-4155
Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01): (202) 225-4276
Mike Gallagher (R-WI-08): (202) 225-5665
Mike Garcia (R-CA-27): (202) 225-1956
Nick LaLota (R-NY-01): (202) 225-3826
Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02): (202) 225-4215
(When calling these offices, you may be asked whether you live in the Representative’s district. If asked, I always answer “No, I do not. But the issue I’m calling about affects everyone in every district.” If the automated system asks, choose resident or you’ll be cut off.
I’ve never had a Congressional aide refuse to talk to me after giving this answer. Generally, they’re happy to talk with anyone who is courteous and respectful. -JW)
Senator Angus King (I-ME) made this eloquent plea last week.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Mr. King declared that whether the United States sustains its support for the people of Ukraine
“…will echo throughout the history of this country and the history of the world for generations. . . If we back away, walk away, pull out and leave the Ukrainians without the resources to defend themselves, it will compromise the interests of this country for 50 years. It will be viewed as one of the greatest geopolitical mistakes of the 21st century.”
Recounting Vladimir Putin’s history of annexing Georgia and Crimea, Senator King declared that the Russian leader’s expansionist policies are a threat not only to former Soviet republics but also to NATO allies. And ultimately, the conflict is a “struggle between the idea of democracy and the rule of law and authoritarianism and totalitarianism,” with the attack on Ukraine being “the opening wedge.”
He concluded with this deeply patriotic plea to his colleagues on behalf of Ukraine:
“Democracy matters. Values matter. Freedom of expression, the rule of law matters, and that’s what’s at stake. . .
This is a battle for the soul of our democracy in the world. . . It's worth fighting for. And in this case we don't even have to do the fighting. We just have to supply the arms and ammunition. . .
I want to stand on the side of resisting authoritarianism, on the side of democracy, on the side of the values that the country has stood for and that people have been fighting for 250 years.”
Your phone is within reach right now. You can help.
This is a network of ordinary citizens. In a democracy, we exercise our power by raising our voices. To be silent is to be powerless.
Hard to say whether it's having an impact or not, but I still call every other day to remind Senators and my Congresswoman that we have a responsibility to our allies as well as ourselves because one reinforces the other. If we have no self-respect for our commitments and ideals, no one else will respect them or us either.
It baffles me to no end that any U.S. Citizen could consider supporting Putin over supporting Ukraine.