ACTION ALERT:
Tell Congress: No War with Mexico!
Win Without War
(March 30, 2023) — There is a dangerous and reckless push for war from some in Congress that would put the United States on the brink of conflict with Mexico.
Introduced in the House by GOP Representatives Dan Crenshaw and Mike Waltz, and co-sponsored by Marjorie Taylor Greene, The Authorization for the Use of Military Force to Combat, Attack, Resist, Target, Eliminate, and Limit Influence Resolution (AUMF CARTEL Influence) would authorize the president to use force against any foreign nations, organizations, or persons who have violated or attempted to violate the Controlled Substances Act.
This resolution is nothing short of a far-right attempt to start another conflict by pushing the war on drugs into overdrive. Obviously if an idea is disastrous once, why not try it again but on a larger scale? Marjorie Taylor Greene even tweeted that she is proud to declare WAR on the Mexican cartels.
The Senate just finally voted to repeal the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs against Iraq. The last thing we need right now is for Congress to greenlight another AUMF that will fuel more endless wars. It took 20 years to repeal the Iraq war authorities, we can’t even let momentum BEGIN to gather on another blank check for war. We have to go all in right now to shift Congress from its violence-first approach.
That’s why we’re sending a petition to Congress to snuff out this dangerous bill before it spreads further.
Republican rhetoric is only getting more inflammatory and irresponsible, with Senator Lindsey Graham saying that, “We are going to unleash the fury and might of the US against these drug cartels.”
Military action has consequences, and people will be caught in the crossfire if a resolution like this were to pass.
If the hawks get their way, this could be a war on drugs on steroids, waged against the drug cartels that are in Mexico. In other words, it could mean unchecked military strikes in Mexico. This is going to be another drawn out, protracted conflict that would unleash unthinkable chaos and cause irreparable harm to people. And if history has taught us anything, this chaos is as likely to empower cartels and other violent actors as it is unlikely to reduce the flow of drugs. There simply isn’t a military solution to this problem.
Somehow though, House Oversight Chair James Comer said it was a “mistake” not to bomb the drug cartels (and Mexico) in 2020 during the Trump administration, further illustrating how the drumbeat for war is growing louder.
Our communities need support in fighting for a more rational, compassionate, and pragmatic approach to the challenges we face.
The Letter
No War with Mexico!
Congress is considering dangerous legislation that would be a major escalation of the drug war and could even lead to a full-scale war with Mexico.
The Authorization for the Use of Military Force to Combat, Attack, Resist, Target, Eliminate, and Limit Influence Resolution (AUMF CARTEL Influence Resolution) would authorize the use of military force against nine Mexican cartels, potentially leading to war with Mexico and further destabilizing the region.
This legislation is not only reckless, but would also undermine diplomatic relations and national security by igniting tensions between the US and Mexico.
By seeking to authorize the president to use force against foreign nations, organizations, or persons who have violated the Controlled Substances Act, we will be taking the war on drugs to even more dangerous levels.
Effectively declaring war on Mexico by employing military force against cartels is not the answer.
Congress needs to hear from you. Our communities need support in fighting for a more rational, compassionate, and pragmatic approach to the challenges we face. Congress needs to know we stand against the irresponsible and foolish rhetoric pushed by those who support the resolution.
Together, we can make a difference and protect our communities from the devastating consequences of this dangerous legislation.
Thank you for working for peace,
Shahed, Annika, Raimy, and the Win Without War team
