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Allen listens in
BY SARA DONNELLY
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District 1 Congressman Tom Allen’s town meeting in Portland on July 17 not only allowed constituents to comment frankly on the Iraq war, but also prompted Allen to return to Washington that week to try to revive legislation about withdrawal from the conflict. Allen attempted to tag an amendment to the Foreign Relations Authorization Act which, according to an Allen press release, would "reassure both the Iraqi and American people that it is not the policy of this nation to establish a permanent US military presence in Iraq." The amendment was squashed in the Republican–controlled House Committee on Rules. "It is time for fresh dialogue on this Administration’s policy which has resulted in a rapidly deteriorating situation," Allen says in the release. "Republicans preach democracy for Iraq but deny it at home by choking off debate in Congress." Greg Field, Executive Director of Peace Action Maine, helped convince Allen to organize the town meeting. Field says around 400 people attended the event at Portland High School. Peace Action Maine, Maine Veterans for Peace, and other peace-advocacy groups continue to press Maine senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins to hold similar town meetings on the war.
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