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January 12, 2024


News


Overview: No deal on keeping the federal government funded has been reached yet. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson did reach an agreement with Democratic leaders on a spending limit, set at $1.66 trillion. Whether a further agreement can be made for a spending package before the deadline next week or whether another continuing resolution will be hammered out remains to be seen. A reminder on the deadlines: January 19 for funding the Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Transportation, and Veteran Affairs, and February 2 for all other departments.

Circle of Protection: CCUSA joined in a Circle of Protection letter to President Biden and members of Congress ([link removed]). The Circle of Protection is a coalition of churches and ministries dedicated to advocating for people who are poor and hungry. The letter asks the president and Congress to provide funds for all eligible women and children through the WIC program and for the poorest people around the world through international humanitarian aid. The letter also asks that all families struggling with low incomes be allowed to receive the maximum amount of the Child Tax Credit.

Child Tax Credit: CCUSA and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have long supported the Child Tax Credit while urging its improvement. On January 9, CCUSA and the USCCB wrote to renew our request to Congress ([link removed]) to work in a bipartisan manner to include a strengthened Child Tax Credit in any upcoming tax package. In upholding the dignity of all, the Catholic Church is committed to building an authentically life-affirming society that prioritizes the well-being of families, and we call on Congress to adopt that same approach. Strengthening the Child Tax Credit is one clear way to respond to this call. You can find your elected officials here ([link removed]) to urge them to support the CTC, or you can use an action alert from the USCCB ([link removed]) to contact your representatives.

WIOA reauthorization bill introduced in the House:Last December 12, the leaders of the House and Workforce Committee formally introduced H.R. 6655, the Stronger Workforce for America Act, with overwhelming bipartisan support of committee members.This legislation would reauthorize and make significant changes to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which was initially signed into law in July 2014.The proposed changes to the Labor Department's workforce development programs include increasing accountability for training providers and state and local workforce boards, and expanding the use of training accounts for individuals. The bill now awaits House floor consideration, as a wider reauthorization process will unfold in the remainder of the 118th Congress. A Factor Sheet with highlights of the bill was issued by the Committee when the bill was introduced ([link removed]). The CCUSA Social Policy team will keep track of important developments with respect to this legislation and inform you accordingly.

Economy: In the week ending January 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims ([link removed]) was 202,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 202,000 to 203,000. The 4-week moving average was 207,750, a decrease of 250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 207,750 to 208,000.

Combating human trafficking: The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is hosting a webinar on combating human trafficking. Implementing the See-Judge-Act methodology, presenters will share resources and advocacy actions for social action directors and other collaborators. English registration ([link removed]). Spanish registration ([link removed]).

 

Trivia

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whom the country celebrates this coming Monday, gave two speeches in front of the Lincoln Memorial. One was part of the March on Washington in August 1963. What was the other one?

Please send your answers to the right answer ([link removed]): The Wedding Feast of Cana and the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.

 

Connections

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