If you've been keeping up on the news about North Korea, you probably feel stuck in a never-ending cycle of escalating nuclear-armed standoff. After more than a year of alarming threats and counter-threats, we have an opportunity to change course and make progress towards peace.
Senator Ed Markey has introduced legislation to restrict funding for a first-strike against North Korea, which Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley is co-sponsoring. Senator Ron Wyden has not yet indicated support for this legislation. In advance of the upcoming Olympic Games, we need you to ask Senator Wyden to support diplomacy and prevent war with North Korea.
Ask Senator Wyden to co-sponsor this critical legislation, S. 2016, the No Unconstitutional Strike Against North Korea Act, to pursue diplomacy with North Korea. Call his office today at 202-224-5244, or use this form to contact Senator Wyden by email.
Ever since the inaugural games in ancient Greece, the Olympics have been used to forge openings for international cooperation and peace. On the eve of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, South Korea asked the United States to temporarily pause joint military exercises — and the United States agreed. These unnecessary drills only heighten military tensions with North Korea, and increase the risk of war. The consequences would be dire. According to the Congressional Research Service, a U.S. military strike against North Korea could cause mass civilian casualties, impacting 25 million people on both sides of the border.
The Olympic Truce is holding strong, but we need a long-term solution to prevent conflict from escalating any further. The No Unconstitutional Strike Against North Korea Act affirms the constitutional principle that only Congress, not the president, can authorize nuclear or conventional strikes against North Korea.
The Olympic Games remind us that peace is possible. On the occasion of the Olympic Games, urge Senator Wyden to break the cycle of conflict and prevent war with North Korea.