Refugee Bills Pick Up Steam...and Cosponsors!

Thanks in part to your letters and our advocacy efforts, the two bills that would help Iraqi refugees -- H.R. 2265, the Responsibility to Iraqi Refugees Act, and S. 1651, the Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act -- are not just picking up steam. They are on fire.

The House Bill, introduced by Rep.s Blumenauer, Schakowsky and Shays, has netted 30 new cosponsors since we began our efforts in June (including FIVE in the last TWO days!), bringing the total to 44. Here is the full list of Representatives who have stood up in support of our Iraqi allies and the innocent victims of violence and displacement in Iraq:

Rep Baird, Brian [WA-3]
Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2]
Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28]
Rep Capps, Lois [CA-23]
Rep Capuano, Michael E. [MA-8]
Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11]
Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7]
Rep Davis, Tom [VA-11]
Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10]
Rep Dingell, John D. [MI-15]
Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5]
Rep English, Phil [PA-3]
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4]
Rep Gilchrest, Wayne T. [MD-1]
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22]
Rep Hirono, Mazie K. [HI-2]
Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12]
Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-15]
Rep Hooley, Darlene [OR-5]
Rep Israel, Steve [NY-2]
Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18]
Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3]
Rep Lantos, Tom [CA-12]
Rep Larsen, Rick [WA-2]
Rep Larson, John B. [CT-1]
Rep LaTourette, Steven C. [OH-14]
Rep McCollum, Betty [MN-4]
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7]
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3]
Rep Meeks, Gregory W. [NY-6]
Rep Moran, Jerry [KS-1]
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC]
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10]
Rep Pomeroy, Earl [ND]
Rep Sanchez, Linda T. [CA-39]
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9]
Rep Sestak, Joe [PA-7]
Rep Shays, Christopher [CT-4]
Rep Smith, Adam [WA-9]
Rep Snyder, Vic [AR-2]
Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [NY-12]
Rep Watson, Diane E. [CA-33]
Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19]
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6]

We are expecting to add several more names to that list by the end of the week. But if you don't see your rep's name, you can still take action through our action center (if you have not already done so) or call the House switch board at (202) 224-3121. Tell your member the time is NOW to help Iraqi refugees, and urge them to sign on as a cosponsor to H.R. 2265.

Meanwhile, prospects are very good for the Senate version of the bill as well. We don't have a lot of details yet, but it looks as though the text may be added as an amendment to a spending bill and pushed through very soon. We will keep you posted as that develops.

Overall, things look very good for these bills, and we are spending the next couple of days on the Hill advocating for Iraqi refugees and IDPs. With your support, we really have the power to make a difference!