Toolkit prespared by the Political Action Commission for CPUSA’s Peace Conference 2.0: “Driven by Justice — United for Peace.”

Build a movement to tell congress to fund peace and human needs, not war and profiteering. Vote to defend democratic rights.

A majority in our country oppose the deadly policies of MAGA. A majority oppose militarization of our cities, think immigration is good for our country, oppose Israel’s war on Gaza, and believe nuclear weapons make the world less safe. A majority support reduced military spending to reinvest in job creating and climate saving human needs that can end poverty.

It will take a united movement to defend our rights and fight for our future. Bring this to your neighbors, co-workers, union, community organization. Circulate petitions, write letters to the editor, share on social media, join a protest, rally or picket line. Ask your member of Congress to co-sponsor these bills that will change priorities, defend our rights and put peace, democratic rights and human needs first:

H.Res.3565 — Block the Bombs Act
Aug 2025 Gallup: 60% overall and 92% of Democrats oppose Israel’s war in Gaza.

Sponsored by Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL 3) with 56 co-sponsors. Endorsed by Congressional Progressive Caucus. To provide for a limitation on the transfer of defense articles and defense services to Israel.

The first bill to block the Trump administration from delivering major U.S. weapons to Israel — bombs, tank rounds, and artillery shells — used in its mass killing of Palestinians in Gaza.
(Block the Bombs Campaign information: https://www.peaceaction.org/block-the-bombs/ )

Senate Resolutions: On July 10, by a vote of 27-17, the Senate Democratic caucus voted on Resolutions introduced by Bernie Sanders to stop sending arms shipments to the support Netanyahu government’s horrific, immoral, and illegal war against Palestinian people.

H.Res.317 & S.Res.323 — Back from the Brink
July 2025 PEW Research: 69% believe nuclear weapons make the world less safe

H.Res.317: Rep. James McGovern (D-MA2) Co-sponsors: 40 (Nov 2025)
S.Res.323: Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) Co-sponsors: 7 (Nov 2025)

Urging the United States to lead a global effort to halt and reverse the nuclear arms race and to aggressively pursue agreements with other nuclear armed countries to reduce and verifiably eliminate all nuclear arsenals.

Congressional support: https://preventnuclearwar.org/congress-members/
Municipal and state support: https://preventnuclearwar.org/municipalities-and-states/

S.Res.136 — United States-Cuba Trade Act of 2025
To lift the trade embargo on Cuba, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen. Wyden. Co-sponsor: Sen. Merkley (Jan 2025).

The bill would repeal the Helms-Burton Act, the Cuban Democracy Act, and others that impact trade, investment, and travel. It would normalize trade relations with Cuba and could increase U.S. exports by $1.4 billion annually.

H.Res.4998 & S.Res.2803 — SUN Act Safeguarding the Use of the National Guard Act
To provide for congressional oversight of domestic use of the reserve components of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.

Sept. 2025 CBS News poll, 93% of Democrats against sending the National Guard to other U.S. cities.
Aug. 2025 Quinnipiac poll 61% of independents opposed sending the National Guard to D.C.

H.Res.4998 – Rep. Sam Luccardo. Co-sponsors: 54. (Sept 2025)
S.Res.2803 – Sen. Alex Padilla. Co-sponsors: 4 (Sept 2025)

H.Res.5093 & S.Res.2688 — D.C. National Guard Home Rule Act
A bill to give the Mayor of the District of Columbia the same authority over the National Guard of the District of Columbia as the governors of other states.

H.Res.5093 — Rep. Eleanor Holmes-Norton. Co-sponsors: 2 (Sept 2025)
S.Res.2688 — Rep. Chris Van Hollen. Co-sponsors: 25 (Sept 2025)

H.Res.4004 & S.Res.2212 — No Anonymity in Immigration Enforcement Act / The VISIBLE Act
Gallup Poll July 2025: 79% said immigration is a good thing for the country. 18 States are suing ICE to stop the use of masked agents.

H.Res.4404 Rep. Velasquez. Co-sponsors: 32 (Nov. 2025)
S.Res.2212 Sen. Padilla. Co-sponsors 21 (Nov. 2025)

The “No Masks for ICE” bill aims to prohibit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducting immigration enforcement operations from wearing facial coverings, and for other purposes.

Also: H.Res.4176 – No Secret Police Act of 2025
Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement Act of 2025

Rep. Goldman. Co-sponsors: 111 (Nov. 2025)

A bill to amend section 287 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to require all immigration enforcement officers to display visible identification during public-facing immigration enforcement actions and to promote transparency and accountability.

Oppose military spending bills H.Res.3838  and S.Res.2296
The National Defense Authorization Act for 2026  increased military spending by $150 billion. There is majority support for reduced military spending.

The final House vote was 231-196 on Sept 20. All Republicans but 4 voted yes. All Democrats but 17 voted no. The House version pushes annual military spending past $1 Trillion.

The Senate version includes $32 billion more. Once the Senate votes, the two versions have to be reconciled for Defense Authorization passage.

Organizing to move the money from military to human needs will continue.

More resources

Congressional Progressive Caucus
The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) has 101 members. It is chaired by Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35), alongside CPC Deputy Chair, Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05), and CPC Whip, Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04). The CPC’s Promoting Peace & Security Taskforce is chaired by Rep. Ilhan Omar.

View Peace Action’s 2026 Voter Guide here.

Through the efforts of the Poor People’s Campaign, H.Res.438 for a Third Reconstruction was introduced in 2022 to help address poverty and low wages from the bottom up. The bill needs to be reintroduced.

The National Priorities Project fights for “a U.S. federal budget that prioritizes peace, economic security and shared prosperity.” It is a project of the Institute for Policy Studies, providing resources on the federal budget process and how the federal budget affects you.

Images: Educators Push for a Ceasefire and Palestinian Rights  by kboo.fm (CC BY-NC 4.0).