Pro-Marine Legislation Moving Forward

By 

Jay Sekulow

|
June 21, 2011

4 min read

Constitution

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The outrage continues to build against the City of Berkeley, California and so does the momentum regarding legislation on Capitol Hill important legislation thats moving forward thanks to some key legislators and the support of many of you.

 

As you know, Berkeley City Council tried to soften its opposition to the Marines after an all-out assault against the Marine recruiting office located in downtown Berkeley.  The City Council backed off some outrageous language calling the Marines uninvited and unwelcome intruders.  But the fact is the City Council refused to apologize to the Marines and continues to grant special status to the radical anti-military group, Code Pink.  In fact, Code Pink continues to enjoy a free parking space provided by the City right outside the recruiting office.  Further, City Council continues encouraging all people to avoid cooperation with the Marine Corps recruiting station and applaud residents and organizations such as Code Pink that impede, passively or actively the work of military recruiters.

 

The men and women of the U.S. Marine Corps are heroes.  They provide an invaluable service to our country.  They stand in the gap defending our freedoms at great risk and sacrifice.

 

The attitude and behavior exhibited by the City of Berkeley continues to propel important legislation on Capitol Hill that would remove more than $2 million dollars in federal earmarks for Berkeley and transfer the funds to the Marines.

 

Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina is leading the charge in the Senate and Rep. John Campbell of California is pushing forward in the House.  The Semper Fi Act of 2008 has 10 co-sponsors in the Senate and 71 in the House. 

 

In the words of Sen. DeMint:  Its time for Berkeley to realize that actions have consequences and added that its a national embarrassment that these officials refuse to apologize to our troops and their families and continue to support actions against military recruitment.

 

Unfortunately, partisan politics may be keeping the measure bottled up.  According to Sen. DeMint, Senate Democrat leaders initially used parliamentary maneuvers to block consideration of the bill.  And when Republicans asked to pass the Semper Fi Act by unanimous consent after no Republican member opposed its passage, Democrats placed an anonymous hold on the bill.

 

Our legislative team continues to push forward in the Senate and the House to ensure that this critical measure gets the consideration it deserves.

 

And, you can be sure that were communicating to members of Congress regarding the thousands of people nationwide who have already signed on to our petition urging passage of the Semper Fi Act.

 

People are adding their names each day.  If you havent done so, please add your name to this petition right now.   You can sign the petition by clicking here.

 

The actions and behavior of Berkeley has triggered a national outcry.  Even one of the local newspapers in California thinks Berkeley has gone too far.  In an editorial in the Contra Costa Times of Walnut Creek, CA, the newspaper put it this way:  What the Marines deserved was an apology by the Berkeley City Council and Mayor Bates.  But that would be an admission of error, which was neither expected nor offered.

 

And Gordon Wozniak, one of two Berkeley City Council members who favored the City issuing an apology, put it best:  We failed our city. We embarrassed our city.

 

Take a moment now to stand in support of the Marines and send the City of Berkeley a powerful message sign on right now to the ACLJ petition in support of the Semper Fi Act. 

 

We will keep you posted as this ordeal unfolds.