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Overview: Since last week’s edition of the Washington Weekly, CCUSA’s policy team prepared and sent several letters to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. See the “Recent letters” paragraph below for details. Visits to new members of Congress continue as well. Immigration: Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, head of the USCCB and of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, talked about the treatment of migrants during an address at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Plenary Assembly, held in Orlando, Fla. Broglio stressed that the U.S. should "enact effective and humane border management as part of a framework of comprehensive immigration reforms." The archbishop added, “The Catholic Church is committed to the common good, we always cooperate in the administration of humanitarian aid with local, state, and federal officials, and we do this in partnership with faith communities and like-minded organizations. I know that this can put us at odds with certain groups or those who fear immigration, but our commitment is to the truth about the human condition and the dignity of the human person from conception to natural death.” Read Archbishop Broglio's full address here. Economy: In the week ending June 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 262,000, unchanged from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 1,000 from 261,000 to 262,000. The 4-week moving average was 246,750, an increase of 9,250 from the previous week’s revised average. This is the highest level for this average since Nov. 20, 2021, when it was 249,250. Recent letters: On June 9, 2023, CCUSA, the United States Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition wrote to congressional leaders in support of the RESTORE Act, which eliminates the ban on SNAP benefits for people with drug-related felony convictions. The current ban prevents ex-offenders from fully reintegrating into society with the support they need. This puts these persons at an increased disadvantage making it more likely they will recidivate, further impacting public safety. Also on June 9, CCUSA, USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development and Committee on International Justice and Peace, Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Rural Life, sent a letter to congressional leaders addressing the moral and human dimensions of the FY 2024 Agriculture Appropriations legislation. The letter stressed the duty of the government and society in general to ensure that people – especially the most vulnerable and senior citizens, women, and children with little or no income – have nutritious food to sustain their lives with dignity, as well as to promote good stewardship of natural resources and provide support to struggling farmers, ranchers, and farm workers. On June 14, 2023, CCUSA and USCCB sent a letter to Congressional leaders about the Fiscal Year 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The two organizations urged Congress to provide the highest level of funding possible for housing and community development programs serving families and individuals who are homeless, poor and vulnerable. |
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