The war in Afghanistan is the longest war in American history.

Over the course of 16 years, the war has cost hundreds of billions of dollars and an immeasurable human toll on our troops, our veterans, and their families -- not to mention the toll it’s taken on the Afghani people themselves.

Yet Congress has not taken a single vote on this war for 16 years. Instead, since 2001, we’ve given the White House a blanket waiver to take military action against Afghanistan and other complex situations that did not even exist back then, such as ISIS.

As I’m sure you’ve noticed over the past couple of months, I’ve asked you to join me in signing petitions demanding government action on a range of important issues. I’ve also had a number of people ask me what these petitions accomplish and why they matter – and I think that’s a great question.

Today’s politics are all too often disconnected from real people. In the age of Citizens United, corporate interests and wealthy donors spend vast sums to shape the conversation over the direction of our country. It’s more important than ever that all Americans have their voices heard – and that’s what petitions are about.

Donald Trump and Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke have launched a “review” of America's National Monuments, threatening to rescind monument designations and allow oil and gas exploration, logging, and mining on our public lands. At risk are lands ranging from the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument off the Massachusetts coast, to the Giant Sequoia National Monument in California.

This is unconscionable. These sites are a part of our national heritage that we should be protecting for our children and future generations. Submit your comment now to the Department of the Interior telling them to protect our National Monuments!