World Refugee Day

The “global confederation of Catholic charities is appealing to the world’s political leaders to accept refugees in a dignified and safe way, ensuring their basic needs are met and providing them with safe living conditions, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Caritas Internationalis fosters solidarity, its Secretary-General said, “through the expression of care and love for the most vulnerable, and the refugees are among them.”

Caritas Internationalis releases a message on the occasion of #WorldRefugeeDay, June 20.https://t.co/vgMvovo7nH

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) June 19, 2020

A 15-Minute Week

Catholic Charities and Entergy offered Capitol Hill legislators, staffers and interns an opportunity to “understand the day-to-day life of low-income families.” The active simulation sought to increase empathy among members of Congress in the 50th year since the War on Poverty began. Robert Samuels wrote about the simulation for the Washington Post.

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Wiki-mage President Johnson’s poverty tour in 1964 PD-US

Catholic Charities Partners with Bethlehem University

News released by Catholic Charities USA at the top of July:

“To those who suffer, God does not provide arguments which explain everything; rather, his response is that of an accom-panying presence, a history of goodness which touches every story of suffering and opens up a ray of light.”
- Pope Francis

Lumen Fidei (“The Light of Faith”), July 5, 2013

Catholic Charities USA Launches Internship Program with Bethlehem University
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is partnering with Bethlehem University, a Catholic university located in the Holy Land, to sponsor a select group of students to spend the summer learning and serving with Catholic Charities agencies across America.
Eight Palestinian students underwent a one-week orientation at CCUSA before spending the next six weeks working at local Catholic Charities agencies across the country.
“This internship program is an opportunity to students to engage with the mission of the Catholic Church and apply it to the real-world challenges facing so many,” said Father Larry Snyder, president of CCUSA. “We hope they will take these life-altering experiences and stories back to Palestine and call others to meet the needs of their community.”
For more information, please visit the CCUSA Newsroom.

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Wiki-image from Bethlehem University by Philip daoud of BU Main Bldg CC BY-SA 3.0.

Timely Toast

In yesterday’s Catholic New York Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, recounted his toast at the “glittering banquet for those chosen by Time magazine as ‘The 100 Most Influential People in the World.’” He prefaced it by sharing the preparation he received. It revealed the persistent misunderstanding (among Christians, too) that Jesus is a dead person of the past.

[In that column Cardinal Dolan referred to the Good Neighbor Award given to Dr. John Ruskay, the CEO of the UJA-Federation. Here’s a link with more background on Dr. Ruskay receiving that award.]

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Wiki-image by Laslovarga of St. Patrick Cathedral used according to CC BY-SA 3.0.

Catholic Charities Responds to State of the Union

In its press release of Thursday, "Rev. Larry Snyder, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) responded to the President’s State of the Union address with support for the decisions to help jobs, child care and education, but with a serious caution to make sure those suffering in poverty are not forgotten in the decision-making process."

The one-page release noted that

Of the 47 agencies responding to the survey, 83% reported an increase in the working poor seeking assistance, 70% reported an increase in families seeking assistance, 57% reported an increase in the homeless seeking assistance, and 51% reported an increase in the middle class seeking assistance.

Fr. Snyder also looked forward with commitment and a desire to address needs with contemporary methods, saying that “we are not only committed to continue serving the nation’s most vulnerable, but we also seek to find 21st century solutions to create sustainable opportunities for all those we serve.”

The release closed with a link to help people learn more.

Updated Website for Catholic Charities USA

The sanctity of life and human dignity drive the vision and mission of Catholic Charities, which seeks to serve people in need and eliminate oppression in all its forms. Each diocese in the United States has a Catholic Charities to help people to serve as well as to be served. The updated website is a treasure trove of information, inspiration and facilitates taking action on behalf of and for others.

Catholic Charities USA is a member of Caritas International.

This announcement from Catholic Charities and its weekly review of capitol events.

March 16, 2009
Volume 4 Number 9

. . .

Special Announcement Regarding Justice for Immigrants Regional Training

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Justice for Immigrants (JFI) campaign will conduct a training in the Cincinnati area on March 26-28, 2009. The purpose of the training is to convene supporters of comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) in Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Michigan, strengthen and grow the support base for immigration reform, and arm supporters with updated messages and educational pieces to continue to push for CIR.

JFI has identified Ohio and the surrounding states as prime areas of opportunity to move large numbers of Catholics and Catholic federal lawmakers to support CIR.

Event information, including the agenda, may be found here.

A limited number of scholarships are available, and anyone interested in a scholarship should call 202-541-3165 to apply for one. Questions about the convening may also be directed to the same telephone number.

Please consider attending the training and/or sharing this information with your networks.

For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director of Advocacy and Civic Engagement, lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Not All Has Stopped During Financial Crisis

Catholic Charities informed through its weekly emailing list of important actions taken by Congress and the President.

Special Edition

October 10, 2008
Volume 3 Number 29

Inside this issue:

• Congress Approves Financial System Rescue Package
• President Signs Child Welfare Bill
• Congress Reauthorizes Runaway and Homeless Youth Act
• House Approves McKinney Vento Legislation
• Legislative Accomplishments of the 110th Congress

President Signs Financial System Rescue Package

On October 3, the President signed into law (P.L. 110-343) a rescue package (H.R 1424) for the nation's ailing financial and banking sectors. The legislation authorizes the Treasury Department to buy $700 billion in troubled assets. It also raises the FDIC deposit insurance limit for bank accounts from $100,000 to $250,000.

The financial rescue package includes a number of provisions originally included in senate-passed tax-extender bill (H.R. 6049) including:

• Mental health parity legislation that would require insurers to cover mental health benefits equal to traditional medical benefits;
• A reduction in the income eligibility threshold for the Child Tax Credit from $12,050 to $8,500
• Tax relief to victims of natural disasters; and
• Tax breaks for renewable energy.

The changes raised the total price of H.R. 1424 to almost $850 billion from $700 billion. However, these provisions were already being considered by Congress and were included because of limited time on the legislative calendar.

Catholic Charities USA sent a letter to the Senate Banking Committee and the House Financial Services Committee on September 24. For more background on the issue, please read a letter from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to the Congressional leadership on the nation's financial crisis.

For more information, please contact Kellyann McClain, Policy Analyst, kmcclain@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

President Signs Child Welfare Bill

On October 7, the President signed into law (P.L. 110-351) the "Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act" (H.R.6893). The bipartisan legislation was widely supported by both the House and Senate. It provides a number of important improvements to the child welfare system including:

• Supporting children aging out of foster care by providing an extension of federal foster care payment beyond age 18;
• Extending federal foster care funds to tribal governments;
• Increasing financial incentives for families who adopt children and providing additional support for adoption of children with special needs;
• Providing grants to improve access to services for relative caregivers; and
• Allowing access to federal training funds for private child welfare providers.

Catholic Charities USA applauds the leadership in the Senate and House for their hard work in crafting these important changes to the nation's child welfare system.

For more information, please contact Desmond Brown, Senior Director of Government Affairs, at dbrown@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Congress Reauthorizes Runaway and Homeless Youth Act

On October 8, President Bush signed into law (P.L. 110-378) the "Runaway and Homeless Youth Act of 2008" (S. 2982). The measure reauthorizes the 1974 Runaway and Homeless Youth Act that was set to expire on September 30. The legislation reauthorizes programs that support state and local efforts to help homeless youth through street outreach, transitional care, and crisis intervention.

Several changes were made to S. 2982 to get Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) to remove a legislative hold on the bill including: removing funding for a public awareness campaign, limiting extensions for how long participants could stay in transitional housing programs, and reducing the fiscal year 2009 funding level by $15 million. After those changes were made, the bill easily passed both the House and Senate.

For more information, please contact Joseph Devine, Policy Analyst, jdevine@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

House Approves McKinney Vento Legislation

On October 3, the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation to reauthorize the "McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act" (H.R.7221) by a vote of 355-61. The measure authorizes $2.2 billion for FY 2009 to support programs that serve homeless individuals and families. This is a significant increase above FY 2008 funding of $1.6 billion. The measure also made a number of changes to the McKinney Vento program including:

• An expansion in the definition of the homeless;
• Additional flexibility for communities to address identified need;
• Additional flexibility to provide supportive services; and
• An expansion in protection for victims of domestic violence.

The changes to the definition of homeless in the final bill are not as broad as an earlier version of the legislation. While the earlier bill, the "Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2008" (H.R. 840), outlined broader definition for the homeless, the changes in the final bill represent an attempt to compromise with a similar measure in the Senate. The Senate did not pass its version of the bill (S.1518) due to procedural maneuvers.

For more information, please contact Desmond Brown, Senior Director of Government Affairs, at dbrown@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Legislative Accomplishments of the 110th Congress

At the start of the 110th Congress, Catholic Charities USA outlined a comprehensive legislative agenda as part of our Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America. While a number of these legislative proposals did not become law, it is important to note that we are making progress in some important areas. Both Congress and the Administration took important steps to target relief and strengthen programs that assist some of the most vulnerable among us. Some of the changes passed by Congress and signed into law include:

• Legislation that increases the minimum wage to $7.25 over two years, signed into law by President Bush on May 25, 2007;
• "The Second Chance Act" of 2007 (H.R. 1593) which addresses barriers to housing, employment, education, and health care that ex-offenders face when exiting the prison system;
• The 2007 Farm Bill which provides $10 billion over ten years for the Nutrition Title: $7.8 billion for the Food Stamp Program, $1.26 billion for The Emergency Food Assistance program, and $1 billion for the Fresh Fruits and Vegetable program;
• A supplemental spending bill (H.R. 2642) that expands veteran education benefits, extends unemployment insurance, places a moratorium on six harmful Medicaid regulations, provides disaster relief for the Midwest, and provides permanent supportive housing vouchers for the Gulf Coast region;
• The "Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008" (H.R. 6331) that blocks a 10.6 percent cut to Medicare payments;
• The "Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008" (H.R. 3221) that includes an Administration-backed plan to help troubled mortgage financiers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, an expansion of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) home loan program to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, the creation of a National Affordable Housing Trust Fund to address the lack of housing options for extremely low-income families, and four billion in Community Development Block Grants for communities to rehabilitate foreclosed properties;
• The "SSI Extension for Elderly and Disable Refugees Act" (H.R. 2608) which provides a two-year extension of eligibility for the elderly and disabled refugees who have lost or will lose their SSI benefits due to the seven-year time limit set by the mid-1990's changes in the welfare law;
• The "ADA Amendments Act of 2008" (S. 3406), a proposal that clarifies the "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990" (ADA) to broaden the number of physical ailments covered under the ADA;
• "Michelle's Law" (H.R. 2851), legislation that allows full-time college students over the age of 18 to maintain their parents' health insurance plans for up to one year if they take a certified medical leave of absence from school;
• A continuing resolution that includes $5.1 billion in funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), doubling the FY2008 level, as well as $22.9 billion in disaster relief, and $200 million for Emergency Food and Shelter Fund, a $49 million increase over FY 2008; and
• The "QI Program Supplemental Funding Act of 2008" (S. 3560) that authorizes $45 million in additional funds to assists certain low-income seniors in paying Medicare premiums.

Catholic Charities USA will continue to advocate in the 111th Congress for legislation that provides quality health care, affordable housing, adequate nutrition, and economic security to the more than 37 million people living in poverty in this country.

For more information, please contact Kellyann McClain, Policy Analyst, kmcclain@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

There will be no Washington Weekly until Congress resumes.

***
Washington Weekly is a publication of the Social Policy Department of Catholic Charities USA and is published regularly when Congress is in session.
Catholic Charities USA
Sixty-Six Canal Center Plaza, Suite 600, Alexandria, VA 22314
socialpolicy@catholiccharitiesusa.org
For information about advocacy, please contact Lucreda Cobbs at (703) 236-6243 or lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org

Virtual March Today

Catholic Charities USA has organized a virtual march on Washington. Our emails allow us to join the "Catholic Charities directors from communities across the country...in Washington, D.C., [today] to meet with legislators about poverty in our nation and what Congress must do to address it."

Today, Join our Virtual March on Washington! Take Action!

WHAT: In the coming days, Congress will make important decisions on key programs that support low-income and vulnerable families. They must determine funding for programs that provide health care, home energy assistance, and child care assistance. They must make needed improvements to Food Stamps and other nutrition programs as they reauthorize the Farm Bill. They must also address the current housing crisis and economic downturn which threatens individuals and families across the country. WHY A VIRTUAL MARCH? Catholic Charities directors from communities across the country will be in Washington, D.C on April 15th to meet with legislators about poverty in our nation and what Congress must do to address it. That day, Catholic Charities USA will also host a Congressional briefing on the "Needs of Young Americans: Strategies to Reduce Poverty". You can join us! Lend your voice and amplify the message to Congress about our common priorities by taking action TODAY! ACTION NEEDED: Starting TODAY, click on “Take Action” and enter your zip code for a sample letter that you can customize and ask your legislators to support vulnerable children and families in America.

The Vulnerable Pay Again

Catholic Charities reminds that regulatory changes to Medicaid begin tomorrow. Unfortunately, people already at risk will pay the price of these changes. The message from weekly email contains a link to a recent NYT article about reactions by state governors.



February 29, 2008
Volume 3 Number 7
Medicaid Savings Will be Gained at the Cost of Services to the Vulnerable

On March 1st, regulatory changes to Medicaid will go into effect that will greatly impact low income persons receiving Medicaid. The regulatory changes will limit case management for beneficiaries leaving institutional care, force state to fragment foster care services, restrict case management for some disabled children, and limit states' flexibility to manage Medicaid funds. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) published the interim final rules on December 4, 2007.

The interim final rules seek to implement provisions approved in the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005 (P. L. 109-171). However, at a Congressional briefing held March 28, several state Medicaid directors stated their belief that the regulations go beyond what Congress approved in the DRA. They highlighted the devastating impact the rules will have on Medicaid beneficiaries, and discussed the state of targeted case management for vulnerable populations.

CMS estimates that the rules would reduce Medicaid spending by close to $15 billion over the next five years. State and local governments will have to bear the resulting financial responsibility, or be forced to cut back their Medicaid programs.

Catholic Charities USA supports a delay of the implementation of these regulations pending further evaluation. The regulations are set to go into effect on March 1st.

To view The New York Times' coverage of the Medicaid regulations, click here.

For more information, please contact Kellyann McClain, Policy Analyst, kmcclain@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

***

Washington Weekly is a publication of the Social Policy Department of Catholic Charities USA and is published regularly when Congress is in session.
Catholic Charities USA
Sixty-Six Canal Center Plaza, Suite 600, Alexandria, VA 22314
socialpolicy@catholiccharitiesusa.org
For information about advocacy, please contact Lucreda Cobbs at (703) 236-6243 or
lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org

Health Alert: President Vetoes SCHIP

Email received from Catholic Charities, 03 October 2007:

Health Alert: President Vetoes SCHIP Take Action!

Let the President Know What You Think!

WHAT: Despite strong support from the U.S. Congress and the American people, President Bush today vetoed the bill to renew and strengthen the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The bill rejected by the President would have provided access to proper health care for nearly ten million of the neediest children in our nation. ACTION NEEDED: Click on "Take Action" and enter your zip code to send a letter to President Bush and let him know that his veto has imperiled the health of vulnerable children in communities across our nation. BACKGROUND: Last week, both the House and the Senate passed a bi-partisan SCHIP reauthorization bill which would have provided an additional $35 billion over five years to keep children already receiving health care coverage, and to provide insurance to nearly four million more children whose health is at risk due to lack of proper health coverage. The President vetoed the bill not because the funding passed by Congress exceeded the $5 billion over five years that his Administration had requested, but because of ideological differences about how to expand health coverage to poor Americans. Improving public policies that promote the health of our nation's children is a key issue area of Catholic Charities USA's Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America. Click here for more information on our positions on SCHIP. WHAT HAPPENS NOW? Congress will likely schedule votes to attempt to override the President's veto in the coming weeks. Please look for alerts from Catholic Charities USA to help you call on your Members of Congress to successfully override the SCHIP veto. For more information, please contact Desmond Brown, Director of Health and Welfare Policy at dbrown@catholiccharitiesusa.org or Christin Driscoll, Senior Director for Policy Development and Advocacy at cdriscoll@catholiccharitiesusa.org. Thank you for taking action for America's children!

Welcome Congress Back to Work

The September 21, 2007, Volume 2 Number 29 issue of the emailed Catholic Weekly closed encouraging citizens to welcome back Congress and remind it of its unfinished work.

Participate in the Campaign to Reduce Poverty: Welcome Back Congress and Send a Message about What Remains to be Done

WHAT: This September, get involved in the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America by welcoming Congress back to Washington with a message about what still needs to be done for those living in poverty in our nation.

Your active involvement with Catholic Charities USA's poverty campaign and communicating with your Members of Congress has played a strong role in moving some important legislation during the first half of the 110th Congress. These include steps in the right direction by raising the minimum wage, and moving forward legislation reauthorizing both the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and the Food Stamp Program.

But much work remains to be done, and your help is needed!

ACTION NEEDED: Click on "Take Action" and enter your zip code to send a message to both of your Senators and your Representative starting today and ask them to make the right decisions about programs that serve the most poor and vulnerable. To get you started, we have provided a preformatted letter that you can localize and personalize.

BACKGROUND:

SCHIP: The House and Senate have both passed legislation to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Both bills provide significant improvements to SCHIP in the areas of new resources, outreach and enrollment practices, and changes to mental and dental health coverage. They differ in the amount of resources that are available. The House provides $50 billion over five years and the Senate $35 billion.

The President has threatened to veto any SCHIP legislation that increases the funding above $5 billion so strong support for this successful program from members of Congress is essential. The Senate bill is a bipartisan measure that passed with 68 votes, which makes it veto proof. The House bill passed on a party line vote and is not veto proof. In September both chambers will meet to iron out the differences between the two bills. The current SCHIP program will expire on September 30th and a number of states will face a shortfall if the program is not reauthorized and appropriately funded. Click here to read Catholic Charities USA's most recent letter to Congress on SCHIP.

Farm Bill/Food Stamps: Now that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed its version of the 2007 Farm Bill, the U.S. Senate will now take up the issue. We are asking the Senate to support a strong nutrition title to help food stamp recipients and to support policies that help rural communities and small producers. Click here to read Catholic Charities USA's most recent letter on the Farm Bill.

Funding: Congress has yet to finalize funding decisions for discretionary programs that fund human services. While the House has passed a measure with some modest increases, the Senate has yet to act. Click here to read Catholic Charities USA's most recent letter on funding issues.

Prisoner Re-Entry: The Second Chance Act is pending in both the House (H.R. 1593) and the Senate (S. 1060). This important legislation would provide grants to states, community-based, and faith-based organizations to begin to address the need for drug and mental health treatment, job training and education opportunities, and housing, as well as other critical services for individuals when they return to the community after exiting the prison system.

SSI: Legislation is now pending in the Senate that would extend benefits to elderly and disabled refugees who have lost their SSI benefits due to the restrictive seven-year time limit set by congress in the mid-1990s. Congress originally thought seven years would be enough time for refugees and asylees to become naturalized citizens, and thereby preserve their SSI eligibility. However, many refugees and asylees have not been able to make it all the way through the citizenship process in seven years, despite their very best efforts. The delays are due to a variety of factors, including backlogs at federal immigration offices and new procedures implemented after September 11. The first wave of victims is now starting to hit the time limit. Many elderly and disabled refugees and asylees have been left destitute as a result. In addition, many may lose health insurance because SSI and Medicaid eligibility are linked in some states. Click here to read Catholic Charities USA's most recent letter on SSI.

Thank you-- your efforts make a difference!

For more information, please contact Christin Driscoll, Senior Director for Policy Development and Advocacy, at cdriscoll@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

***
Washington Weekly is a publication of the Social Policy Department of Catholic Charities USA and is published regularly when Congress is in session.
Catholic Charities USA
1731 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
socialpolicy@catholiccharitiesusa.org

To Reduce Poverty

Catholic Charities is devoting the month of August to reducing poverty. This Action Alert--dated 30 July 2007--is filled with resource links.

Action Alert: Invite Members of Congress to Visit Your Programs in August More Info

Share the Good News About Your Work in the Community

WHAT: Get involved with Catholic Charities USA's Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America this August and show your elected officials how poverty impacts your community. Members of Congress will be home in their states and local districts in the month of August during the Congressional recess. As Congress will be considering a number of issues this fall, including funding for a wide range of social programs that help families and individuals living in poverty, we urge you to invite your Representative and Senators to visit your agency and experience for themselves how the programs you run serve people and improve your community. Help spread the word about your good work and Catholic Charities USA's Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America! Why is this important? When elected officials are able to see a program working to help people in the communities they represent, they are often more likely to connect with an issue and be more supportive of programs. Such visits can have a direct impact on legislative decisions made in Washington. How do I get started? To initiate the invitation, write a brief letter to the Member at his or her local district office (find contact information for the office here). Briefly introduce yourself and your organization and state the purpose of the letter, inviting the Member of Congress to visit on a specified date, or that you would like to arrange a time for the Member to visit your site while he or she is home. Explain why you would like the Member to visit your program (to see how an example of a good social service program can work in the community, being specific about the benefits it provides those you serve and the community in general.). Include specific information about the visit (date, time, location, others who may be invited, whether the media will be invited, what activities are planned for the visit). We encourage you to invite the media to maximize the impact of the visit and exposure for your good work. You should then follow-up with a phone call to the scheduler in the local district office. Inquire if your letter has been received and if the Congressperson will be able to attend. If possible, also ask to speak to the person on staff who deals with the related policy issue (e.g., child welfare or housing) issues so that he or she is also aware of your request. If the Member of Congress will be attending your event, ask if there are any questions regarding the visit that you can answer for the office or the Member, or if there are any special arrangements you need to make. Reiterate the specifics of the visit or event to the scheduler if needed. Today's the day: When the legislator visits your program, let him or her know the scope of the program: how many people you serve, what impacts the program has on families, the community and the local economy. Explain why supporting programs like yours is important to their district. Encourage interaction between the lawmaker and staff and those you serve. It is helpful for Members of Congress to make connections with those who benefit from the program and see the changes in people's lives that good service programs make. Be prepared to answer any questions that might be asked about your program. Follow up: Provide any follow-up materials that may have been promised during the visit. After the event, send a brief thank you letter to the Member of Congress and any staff who were instrumental in assisting you. Keep the relationship going with periodic communication with the Congressperson and his or her staff. Who can I call for assistance and more information? Please contact Christin Driscoll, Senior Director for Policy Development and Advocacy, at cdriscoll@catholiccharitiesusa.org. Download a copy of our new advocacy manual for more tips! Learn more about the Campaign to Reduce Poverty and blog about your experiences with your Members of Congress this summer! For more legislative and policy information, please visit the Catholic Charities USA website.

Breaking News: Tentative Agreement About State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)

Received from social policy arm of Catholic Charities USA:

Washington Weekly Special Edition
July 10, 2007

Breaking Health News

The U.S. Senate Finance Committee has reached a tentative agreement on a framework for reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), according to today’s issue of Congressional Quarterly.

The bipartisan agreement would expand funding for SCHIP to an additional $35 billion over five years. This falls significantly short of the $50 billion increase sought by Democratic congressional leaders and included in the congressional budget resolution. Reports are that the expansion would be paid for by a 61-cent increase in the current federal tobacco tax, bringing it to a $1 tax per pack.

While the compromise might have the support of most of the Finance Committee, it is likely to be politically difficult for other members on both sides of the aisle to support.

Look for more detailed information from Catholic Charities USA in Washington Weekly on Friday. Also, to read the article from Congressional Quarterly, click here.

To read more about Catholic Charities USA’s positions on SCHIP, please click here. To read our issue brief on the plight of the 9 million uninsured children in our country, click here.

More News on Medicaid

According to today’s Congressional Quarterly, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to clear a three-month extension of a program that allows families to continue receiving Medicaid temporarily as they transition from welfare to work. The Senate had passed by voice vote on June 27 its bill (S.1701) to extend the Temporary Medical Assistance (TMA) program until Sept. 30. The program, which expired June 30, is designed to ease the transition from welfare to work by allowing families to continue their Medicaid coverage for up to twelve months as their income levels rise above the normal allowable ceilings.

The bill also would keep alive through Sept. 30 a $50 million grant program for abstinence education that House Democrats have sought to terminate. A leadership aide said before the July 4th recess that Democrats instead “will address permanent reforms in the abstinence program” when the House renews the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

For more information, please contact Desmond Brown, Director of Health and Welfare Policy, at dbrown@catholiccharitiesusa.org, or Karen Wong, Legislative Policy and Research Analyst, at kwong@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

***
Washington Weekly is a publication of the Social Policy Department of Catholic Charities USA and is published regularly when Congress is in session.
Catholic Charities USA
1731 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
socialpolicy@catholiccharitiesusa.org
For information about advocacy, please contact Christin Driscoll at (703) 236-6245 or cdriscoll@catholiccharitiesusa.org

Children's Health Alert: Help Raise Awareness in Your Community

Received from Catholic Charities on 02 July 2007

Children's Health Alert: Help Raise Awareness in Your Community Take Action!

Write to your local newspaper today!

WHAT: When Congress returns from its week-long July 4th recess, committees in both the House of Representatives and the Senate will begin debating legislation to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). SCHIP provides high quality, vital health coverage to 6 million children whose families would otherwise be unable to afford insurance, but more than 9 million children in America go without health insurance. It's time that all our nation's children got the health coverage they need. We need your help to raise awareness in your community about this critical program and the need to ensure that all eligible children receive health coverage by sending letters to the editors of your local newspapers. We need your help to spread the word! ACTION NEEDED: Click on "Take Action" and enter your zip code to find contact information for your local media outlets and a sample letter to the editor to get you started. We strongly encourage you to personalize this letter to paint a picture of issues in your community and what you may be doing to help. BACKGROUND: Improving public policies that promote the health of our nation's children is a key issue area of Catholic Charities USA's Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America. Click here for more information on Catholic Charities USA's positions on SCHIP. For more tips on writing letters to the editor and working with the media, check out our advocacy manual, Taking Action, Catholic Charities USA's Guide to Effective Advocacy. For more information, please contact Christin Driscoll, Senior Director for Policy Development and Advocacy, at cdriscoll@catholiccharitiesusa.org or Desmond Brown, Director of Health and Welfare Policy at dbrown@catholiccharitiesusa.org. Did you send a letter to the editor? Tell us about it on the poverty campaign blog! Thank you - you efforts make a difference!

Legislative News of Note

[received 01 June 2007 as an email]

Special Editor’s Note:

Washington Weekly is published regularly when Congress is session.

However, Catholic Charities USA wanted to inform you that, as Congress adjourned for the Memorial Day recess, President Bush signed into law the supplemental spending bill. This included an increase in the federal minimum wage, the first time it has been increased in over a decade. The bill signed into law also included $650 million to address the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) shortfalls expected this year in some states. Also, we wanted to inform you that a great step forward has been made in affordable housing. The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would establish an Affordable Housing Fund of $500 million a year through 2011, reserving funds for production of new housing and rehabilitation of existing housing for low income persons. In the first year, funding would specifically go towards rebuilding housing in the Gulf Coast for low-income persons. The Hensarling Amendment, which would have effectively excluded Catholic Charities and other organizations from using the housing trust fund to help low income families, was not included.

Increasing the minimum wage, improving SCHIP, and ensuring affordable housing are key items in Catholic Charities USA’s legislative agenda and Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America.. We thank you for responding to our action alerts urging Congress to increase the minimum wage, ensure access to health care for low-income children and approve the Affordable Housing Fund. Your efforts make a difference!

Washington Weekly is a publication of the Social Policy Department of Catholic Charities USA and is published regularly when Congress is in session.
Catholic Charities USA
1731 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
socialpolicy@catholiccharitiesusa.org
For information about advocacy, please contact Christin Driscoll at (703) 236-6245 or cdriscoll@catholiccharitiesusa.org

Justice, Immigrants and the Catholic Church

The Catholic Church serves immigrants daily. It actively participates in immigration reform. One resource to learn more is Justice For Immigrants, an initiative of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.

A second resource is:

Justice for Newcomers; A Catholic Call for Solidarity and Reform represents the response of Catholic Charities USA and our members to the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops campaign for immigration reform: Justice for Immigrants: A Journey of Hope.

Children's Health Alert: Share Your Stories Today

Children's Health Alert: Share Your Stories Today More Info

Poverty Campaign Focuses on Children's Health in May

Have children who are uninsured or under-insured? Take this action.

Virtual March on Washington

From Catholic Charities:

Hunger Alert: Join Our Virtual March on Washington

Tell Congress We Need a Hunger Free America Take Action!

WHAT: Congress will soon begin debating the Farm Bill, which includes rules regarding the Food Stamp Program. Food stamps are our nation’s first line of defense against hunger for children and families, working adults, and the elderly. The reauthorization of the 2007 Farm Bill is an opportunity for Congress to take proactive steps toward eliminating the prevalence of hunger in our nation.

WHY A VIRTUAL MARCH? Catholic Charities Directors from communities across the country will be in Washington on April 26th to meet with legislators about hunger in our nation and what Congress can do about it. At the same time, Catholic Charities USA will be holding a briefing for Members of Congress and their staff on the issue of hunger.

You can join in! Lend your voice and amplify the message to Congress about hunger in America by taking action TODAY!

ACTION NEEDED: Starting TODAY, click on “Take Action” and enter your zip code for a sample letter that you can customize to send your legislators to ask them to help reduce hunger in America.

BACKGROUND: Addressing hunger in our nation is a key issue area of Catholic Charities USA’s Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America. Click here for more information on Catholic Charities USA’s positions on hunger. In addition, Catholic Charities USA works closely with other Catholic organizations on the Farm Bill, including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Relief Services and the National Catholic Rural Life Conference. To read the policy priorities developed by these groups for the 2007 Farm Bill, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/projects/200702fbhn.pdf and http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/20070201farmbillbck.pdf.

Thank you – your efforts make a difference!

Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America

Catholic Charities has launched a blog to accompany its Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America.

Catholic Charities USA described why it launched this blog:

The new Campaign blog allows anyone interested in reducing poverty in America to read what's new, instantly respond to messages and retrieve current, valuable ideas and resources. Blogging allows you to easily search and archive a comprehensive anthology of Campaign activities, news stories, field events, etc.

The success of the Campaign blog hinges upon current, compelling content that encourages you to return day after day. We will strive to include interesting and thought-provoking content so that you will be compelled to voice your opinion, share your ideas and express your concerns. CCUSA hopes that this Campaign blog will help to create a sense of community and serve as a way to learn what agencies and individuals across the country are doing to reduce poverty in America.

CCUSA hopes this blog will continue the discussion on poverty and move more people to take action.

Visit its Campaign blog to learn more about poverty and how someone's dinner might reduce poverty.