Drumbeat for Darfur

Thanks to steady and escalating grassroots pressure, the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act (SADA) unanimously passed the U.S. Senate late on the night of December 12. Two days earlier, Drumbeat for Darfur advocates were on Capitol Hill for UUSC’s D.C. Days of Action, making a special appeal for their senators to take action before the congressional holiday recess. On October 17, 2007, the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act passed the Senate Banking Committee by a 21-0 vote. The bill was slated for quick action on the Senate floor, but one senator, Chuck Hagel (R-NE), placed a hold on it, preventing the legislation from moving forward.

Negotiations took place during the ensuing week to resolve the differences, but the moment Senator Hagel lifted his hold, another Republican senator placed one. Soon it became clear that these “rolling holds” were no longer based on policy concerns but were political maneuvers by the White House to derail the bill. In the past, senators were allowed to anonymously place holds on bills, but a recent rule change makes the name public record. Each time a new hold was placed on the SADA bill, Darfur advocates were able to take immediate action. While it took several rounds of advocacy, the last hold was finally lifted and SADA passed by unanimous consent. The House of Representatives is expected to pass the Senate version of the bill early next week. It is hoped that President Bush will sign the bill into law when he sees that SADA enjoys strong grassroots support and the veto-proof majority by which it is expected to pass Congress.

While it is important to celebrate the SADA victory, Drumbeat for Darfur advocates are urged to continue pressuring the Senate for the full $724 million for the U.N.-A.U. peacekeeping force in Darfur. Congress is currently drafting the final omnibus funding bill that will contain some emergency funding for peacekeeping in Darfur. Please check out the latest Drumbeat for Darfur action alert and encourage others to make sure Congress does not forget about Darfur as they try to leave town for their holiday recess.