The Middle East has gotten caught up in the battle over the FY2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill, currently under consideration in the Senate. Yesterday saw a contentious vote over an amendment offered by Sen. Kyl (R-AZ) calling for new Iran sanctions.  That amendment was defeated, but Senate leadership has now agreed to allow four Middle East-related amendments to come to a vote on Monday.  For background and information about the current state-of-play on the bill, check out this week's and last week's Legislative Round-Ups.   APN's message to Senate staffers opposing the additional four amendments is copied here:

Dear XXXX,

It appears that in the coming days your boss will be asked to vote on four amendments to the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Bill (HR 1105) related to the Middle East.  Americans for Peace Now opposes all of these amendments, viewing them as little more than political grandstanding at the expense of the very important issues at stake for U.S. foreign policy and national security in the region.