Friends Committee on National Legislation - FCNL

08/31/2026

Some important reminders as President Trump once again escalates the disastrous war on Iran:

1) This war is illegal + unauthorized by Congress.

2) Civilians are paying the highest price.

3) More war will only worsen the affordability crisis for families here in the U.S.

!

Action resource:
https://fcnl.quorum.us/campaign/131607/

08/30/2026

Important new reporting from MS NOW: Groups that help people leave the military as conscientious objectors - including the GI Rights Hotline at Quaker House - are seeing a large uptick in requests from troops with deep legal and moral concerns over President Trump's Iran war and boat strikes campaign.

https://www.ms.now/news/conscientious-objectors-military-boat-strikes-iran-war

08/28/2026

Powerful: "63 years ago today, a quarter of a million people stood on this ground and refused to be moved."

"So we return to the same steps. Not to remember a march, but to finish one."👏

Watch and read more:
https://marchonwashington2026.com/

08/26/2026

There's a lot on the line in these upcoming elections, and faith communities can play an important role in helping ensure that everyone feels safe and welcome at the polls. ⬇️

FCNL General Secretary Bridget Moix has served as a poll chaplain for the past two election cycles with Faiths United to Save Democracy. She spoke with Linnea Halsten about her experience and how it is a way that she demonstrates her faith.

"Faith communities, including Quakers, have an important role to play through these elections, and beyond, in helping protect the vote, being voices of moral conscience, bridging divides, upholding our rights and laws, and advancing greater justice and peace for all."

Read more and learn how you can get involved!

FCNL General Secretary Bridget Moix has served as a poll chaplain for the past two election cycles with Faiths United to Save Democracy.

08/25/2026

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Michael Fuson, a longtime and beloved member of our FCNL community. We are holding his loved ones and everyone who is mourning him in the Light.

"We will miss his wise counsel, deep commitment to the mission of FCNL, and friendly smile," FCNL's Stephen Donahoe wrote, reflecting on Michael's many contributions to our work and our community.

"His legacy lives in the restructuring of our governance that he helped lead over the last few years, in the financial stability we have built, and in the lives of many advocates who have been inspired by his service."

https://www.fcnl.org/updates/2026-08/mourning-and-remembering-michael-fuson

08/23/2026

Recent court filings revealed that the Department of Homeland Security sent federal agents into at least five churches in Minnesota to spy on activists.

As Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons of the Interfaith Alliance said, this comes amid a broader "pattern of government-sanctioned desecration of churches," including the elimination of longstanding protections restricting ICE raids at houses of worship.

But people of faith are pushing back to defend the right to worship freely without fear or intimidation.

Quakers were among faith groups around the country that sued the Trump administration to keep ICE out of sacred locations – and they’re winning.

In a new ruling this week in the case of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends v. DHS, an appeals court upheld an order protecting the plaintiffs’ houses of worship from ICE activities as the case proceeds.

“We will continue fighting to ensure that religious freedom remains meaningful for every congregation and every person who walks through our doors," the plaintiffs said.

Read more: https://www.fcnl.org/updates/2026-08/week-world-faith-groups-push-back-against-ice-desecration-churches

08/21/2026

Shout out to Friends from Pacific Yearly Meeting!

FCNL's Stephen Donahoe recently attended their yearly meeting gathering at California State University, Monterey Bay.

"We faced head-on injustices in the world ...and we built and rekindled relationships based in love, respect, and learning, practicing loving our neighbor without exception," Stephen said.

08/17/2026

This should be a national scandal. Along with the U.S. military's boat strikes, the CIA is also secretly murdering and disappearing people in the waters off South America.

The families of the victims deserve answers, and Congress has a responsibility to stop this senseless, illegal killing.

More from the Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2026/08/13/covert-cia-program-said-be-behind-mysterious-attacks-galpagos-boats/

08/15/2026

This week, our friends at the American Friends Service Committee sued the Trump administration over its efforts to punish and intimidate human rights defenders seeking justice for Palestinians.

The lawsuit is challenging President Trump’s executive order that authorizes sanctions against officials from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and others supporting its work to hold Israeli officials accountable for the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

We applaud AFSC, and all the other groups who joined this lawsuit, for courageously challenging these unjust, immoral, and deeply harmful sanctions against the ICC.

“This executive order seeks to intimidate human rights defenders and deter people of conscience from advocating for the rights and dignity of others,” said AFSC General Secretary Joyce Ajlouny.

“We are joining this lawsuit because we refuse to stay silent when the pursuit of justice is criminalized.”

In the face of continued, grave assaults against the rights, dignity, and lives of Palestinians, our government should use its leverage to hold Israel accountable – not punish others for seeking justice.

Read more: https://www.fcnl.org/updates/2026-08/week-world-quakers-sue-trump-over-attacks-human-rights-defenders

08/14/2026

Great to connect with Friends in New England!

As FCNL's Bridget Moix said, "community is resistance," and we're grateful for all of you in the Quaker community who continue to provide us with hope and energy during these difficult times:

"Thank you New England Yearly Meeting Friends for welcoming me to your annual sessions, and for all you do for a more just and peaceful world! It was a joy to be with so many inspiring friends and take a breath together from the madness of the world. Grateful for this big beautiful Quaker community and the work we do together with . "