Salt of the Earth: School of the Americas

Social justice news
August 1999

Congress votes to cut funding to the School of the Americas
In the first ever Congressional vote against the notorious School of the Americas (SOA), the House of Representatives voted 230 to 197 in favor of Rep. Moakleyís amendment to cut funds to the SOA. If this vote holds in the Conference Committee (see below) it will cut about $2 million from the SOA training funds—probably not enough to close the SOA, but a significant bite that sends the message that the its days are numbered.

IMPORTANT ACTION STILL NEEDED: Moakley's amendment was attached to a larger spending bill, the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. The entire bill, including the SOA amendment, must still go through the House/Senate Conference Committee before it becomes law. Because the Senate version of the bill contains no reference to the SOA, it is possible that the Conference Committee could decide to eliminate the House amendment to cut SOA funds. The Conference Committee may meet in early September.

To urge you congressional represntative to support the SOA funding cut, call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to speak to your representative or visit the Electronic Activist to find your rep. online. For more information about the SOA, visit the SOA Watch or read U.S. Catholic's "Let this school out for good."

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