Trustee Elections
These are the original issues in this subcategory
  • MILITARY PERSONNEL HEALTH
  • MILITARY PERSONNEL SUICIDE
  • MILITARY PERSONNEL HOUSING
Winning Issue » MILITARY PERSONNEL HOUSING


In an effort to operate more effectively and economically, our military is now following the lead of our corporations. Among the corporate strategies our Pentagon has adopted are outsourcing, and the use of private contractors. Private military companies mostly employ ex-military personnel to provide services to our troops, gather intelligence and work as bodyguards protecting individuals and facilities. These private contractors are prohibited from using offensive force in war zones and are considered unlawful combatants if they do so. Even so, some contractors have been accused of human rights violations.

In 2018, there were approximately 50,000 defense contractor personnel working in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq. In 2008, private contractors made up just 28% of the workforce of our intelligence community but cost these agencies 50% of their personnel budgets. We pay private military analysts several times more than we pay federal employees for the same service. Critics say our Defense Department is not a corporation and we should not be hiring private contractors to provide services for our military when in-house personnel would suffice.

Proposed Legislation: H.R.65 - Civilian Contractors Engaged in Intelligence Activities Reduction Act of 2015 (114th Congress 2015-2016)
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (TX)



Options


  • I oppose reforming current private military contractor policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA).
  • I support requiring the director of National Intelligence to:

    1.) Study the extent to which contractors are used in the conduct of intelligence activities and the type of information to which such contractors have access.

    2.) Submit a report containing the results of the study and a plan for reducing the number of intelligence community contractors with top secret security clearances that are engaged in intelligence activities, including analysis, by 25%.

    3.) Make such reduction.

    And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (TX) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.


Winning Option
  • I support requiring the director of National Intelligence to:

    1.) Study the extent to which contractors are used in the conduct of intelligence activities and the type of information to which such contractors have access.

    2.) Submit a report containing the results of the study and a plan for reducing the number of intelligence community contractors with top secret security clearances that are engaged in intelligence activities, including analysis, by 25%.

    3.) Make such reduction.

    And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (TX) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.
There has been $0.00 pledged in support of this issue
Trustee Candidates

If elected as a trustee, the campaign committee of Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (TX) will be unconditionally awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting her to favorably consider either reintroducing H.R.65 - Civilian Contractors Engaged in Intelligence Activities Reduction Act of 2015 (114th Congress 2015-2016), or a similar version thereof.

If elected as a trustee, Amnesty International will be awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting these funds be used to advocate for reducing the use of private military contractors.

About: London-based Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 7 million people who take injustice personally. We lobby governments, and other powerful groups such as companies to ensure they keep their promises and respect international law. We investigate and expose the facts, whenever and wherever abuses happen. By telling the powerful stories of the people we work with, we mobilize millions of supporters around the world to campaign for change and to stand in defence of activists on the frontline. We support and encourage people to claim their rights through education and training. Amnesty International has recently begun exposing the role of military contractors, or mercenaries, in deadly conflicts marred by serious human rights violations.
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Trustee Election - Opening Date
November 22, 2021
Trustee Election - Closing Date
November 29, 2021