On December 15th, representatives of a local chapter of Progressive Democrats of America for the 20th Congressional District brought their concerns to Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand. Meeting with her regional representative, Phil Giltner, activists called on Gillibrand to stop funding the war in Iraq. The human and financial costs of this catastrophe are astronomical, including ongoing exposure to depleted uranium. The Democratic response to the President’s continued threats to veto legislation containing a timetable for withdrawal should not be to capitulate and give him more money. Nor should they resign themselves to waiting out Bush’s tenure, a strategy which aside from being morally unconscionable is politically feeble and obtuse, there being no guarantees that the Democrats will retake the White House in 2009.

Activists also questioned Gillibrand’s vote in support of The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act (HR 1955) and asked her not to support bills in the future without first analyzing their implications. Despite being written by a Democrat, this bill, overwhelmingly approved in the House, has been criticized by civil liberties groups on first amendment grounds. It would, among other things, set up a ten member national commission likely dominated by Republicans that would have broad authority to hold hearings and collect evidence on political groups that the Commission deems to have “extremist belief systems” that may be planning to use force or violence to promote their political, religious or social beliefs. It would further empower a President who already has engaged in illegal, warrant less surveillance to determine what is a terrorist act thereby jeopardizing traditional forms of protest. Will martial law and detentions be next? There is no reason for such a Commission when actual incidents of violent protest can be addressed in the normal course by routine law enforcement.

Iran was also a subject of discussion. The December 2007 National Intelligence Estimate indicates that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003. Iran claims that its development of a uranium enrichment program is part of its civilian nuclear energy program, permissible under the nuclear non-proliferation agreement which Iran has signed. Rather than speculating about Iran’s nuclear intentions, Democrats and Republicans should agree to begin immediate negotiations with Tehran. The difficulties with nuclear power are well known (adaptability to weapons programs, terrorism risk, economics, lengthy lead time, waste disposal). The U.S. should acknowledge these downsides, phase out reliance on nuclear energy and replace it with other renewable energy sources and energy efficiency programs. This would undercut any rationale for Iran seeking nuclear power. To keep the President in check, Congress should introduce and pass legislation to prevent the President from attacking Iran without Congressional approval. Such legislation should renounce the first-use of nuclear weapons. In addition, it should call for reviving the goal of a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East as per U.N. Resolution 687.

Finally, activists called upon Rep. Gillibrand to issue a public statement supporting the call by House Judiciary Committee members Wexler, Gutierrez and Baldwin for impeachment hearings against Vice President Cheney per HRes. 799. Such hearings would focus on the abuses committed by Cheney with respect to his false and misleading statements on Iraq possessing weapons of mass destruction, alleged ties between Iraq and al Qaeda, and threatened military action against Iran. In making such a public declaration, Rep. Gillibrand would demonstrate that she takes seriously her sworn oath to uphold and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, and she would lead by example, providing support to Democratic members of the Judiciary Committee who may be wavering on the issue. According to a November 13 poll by the American Research Group, 70% of voters say that Vice President Cheney has abused his powers, a majority support hearings and 43% say that he should be removed from office right now. The time to act is now. The hollow accusations leveled against former President Clinton should not serve as the legacy of our impeachment process which the founders reserved for misconduct that rose to the level of “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.” Clearly, the allegations against Vice President Cheney rise to this level. Leaving these charges unanswered will set a dangerous precedent for future Administrations that may be tempted to abuse the privileges of the office.

The PDA activists invited Rep. Gillibrand to respond to any/all of the concerns raised and look forward to continuing to dialogue on these and other critical issues facing our nation.