Dear All, The continuing crisis in Iraq has been driven from the headlines as the nation’s attention has shifted to the slaughter of Palestinian civilians in Gaza but the imminent danger of a new U.S. war in Iraq remains. Sunni forces led by the militant group Islamic State (IS) control the north, the Kurds have extended their control of Kurdistan into disputed territories, and the Shia led central government has strengthened its control of the South.  President Obama has  already deployed around 750 American troops to Iraq in response to the crisis. While some of these troops were sent to protect our gargantuan embassy, hundreds were sent as 'advisers’ to the Iraqi security forces and to plan further 'effective' military intervention.. Click here to ask Congress to vote against allowing the President to introduce more U.S. troops without a congressional vote. The American public has been clear: the Iraq War was a mistake and we don't want to send our troops back into the middle of a civil war. As more and more Americans are sent into harm's way in Iraq, Congress needs to hear from you. Thankfully, Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA), Walter Jones (R-NC), and Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced legislation to force a debate and a vote on a buildup of U.S. troops in Iraq.  This now amended legislation, H Con Res 105, would require a vote if the President wanted to send combat troops to Iraq.  The bill is now scheduled to be voted on Friday, July 25. Click here to send an email to your representative to ask him to vote yes to require Congressional debate and vote before additional combat troops can be sent to Iraq. The news is full of Israel's murderous invasion of Gaza, the highest daily death toll so far in Syria's civil war and growing conflict in Libya, Yemen, and Iraq.  The last thing the people of the region need is the reintroduction of U.S. combat troops in Iraq and a possible repeat of the 8 1/2 year war that cost so much in human life and suffering. Please act now to support a resolution which will prevent reintroduction of U.S. combat troops without a new debate and vote in Congress. This may be the only vote to thwart another war in Iraq. The situation in Iraq is difficult as the nation continues to be roiled in a complex sectarian crisis. But the solution is not American bombs or troops. Help make clear that America will not go back to war in Iraq by asking your Representative to vote for this  important resolution. For Peace, Shelagh Foreman Program Director

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