Clear Choice Between War Opponent and War Supporter in Democratic Primary
Washington, D.C. — The Council for a Livable World strongly endorses U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) in his 2006 bid for re-election. Though Akaka faces a primary challenge from Democratic Representative Ed Case (D-HI), the two Democrats have vastly different records on the Iraq War as well several other issues where Case stood with the Bush Administration while Akaka strongly opposed Bush.
U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka took a principled and courageous stand in October 2002 voting against the U.S. use of military force in Iraq while Case supported the war . Case has recently reiterated his support for the war and blamed Akaka for his vote. "[Case] added that Akaka's vote against the use-of-force measure was a 'mistake at that time.'" [Washington Post, 5/18/06]
Senator Akaka's record goes well beyond his opposition to the Iraq war. As the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Akaka has been a valuable ally of the nonproliferation community: "Pursuing new nuclear weapons will undermine our non-proliferation goals," said Akaka.
Senator has vociferously opposed the development of new nuclear weapons. He has also supported ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and has played a leading role in arguing for American preparation to deal with the threat of bioterrorism and bioweapons proliferation. Additionally, he has worked to ward off Bush administration attempts to cut the budget of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
"The U. S. cannot expect other nations to agree to give up their weapons while we seek to develop a newer, more useable nuclear arsenal. The time and resources being devoted to research and development of new weapons technology, such as the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator and new low-yield nuclear weapons, are taking away from other non-proliferation and threat reduction programs," said Akaka.
Council for a Livable World provides senators with sophisticated technical and scientific information that helps them make intelligent decisions about nuclear arms control, strategic and conventional weapons, non-proliferation and United Nations peacekeeping.
Since 1962, the Council's national political program — funded exclusively by over 30,000 supporters — helps elect the men and women to Congress who support reducing and eventually eliminating nuclear weapons.
Council for a Livable World strongly advocates returning Senator Akaka to the United States Senate where he can continue his effective work on important national security issues.
