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April 5, 2024
 
News
Overview: On Saturday, March 23, 2024, President Biden signed into law H.R. 2882, the "Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 ([link removed])," which provides funding for the federal government through Sept. 30, 2024. Congress returns from Easter recess next week. Before them are a myriad of issues - like whether, or how, to pay for replacing the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, funds for Ukraine, etc. - but perhaps the top item is getting started on the appropriations process for FY 2025.
Homeless encampments: CCUSA contributed to an amicus brief ([link removed]) regarding the case City of Grants Pass, Oregon, Petitioner v. Gloria Johnson, et al., on Behalf of Themselves and All Others Similarly Situated, which will be heard by the Supreme Court ([link removed]) on April 22, with a decision expected in the summer. The main issue is whether local governments can criminalize homeless people sleeping outside when there are no other accommodations for them. CCUSA and other service providers in the brief urge the Supreme Court to rule against making sleeping outside a crime when no adequate shelter is available.
Youth mentoring: CCUSA joined other youth-serving organizations in a letter to the leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies ([link removed]) asking for at least $130 million in FY2025 appropriations for the Youth Mentoring Program managed at the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in the Department of Justice. The grant supports services for at-risk youth, connecting them with mentors who seek to ensure young people are loved, supported, and set up for success in life.
Earmarks: Remember that Congress is accepting Community Project Funding requests, commonly known as earmarks. Earmarks are a funding request for a non-governmental entity to carry out a specific project; for example, a Catholic Charities agency may be provided funds for a substance abuse treatment program. Billions of dollars are still available. You should contact your member of Congress for more information on how to apply for an earmark, or please reach out to the Find your elected officials ([link removed]).
Employment Authorization Documents: The Department of Homeland Security plans to release a Temporary Final Rule on Monday. This rule will automatically extend Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) (i.e. work permits) for certain categories of immigrants from 180 days to 540 days if they apply for a renewal application on time. Without this Rule, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) states that 800,000 renewal applicants risk losing their jobs due to lapsed EAD ([link removed]), including asylum applicants, TPS holders, and others. In addition, the EAD lapse would negatively affect about 60,000 to 80,000 employers throughout the country.
Economy: In the week ending March 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims ([link removed]) was 221,000, an increase of 9,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 210,000 to 212,000. The 4-week moving average was 214,250, an increase of 2,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 211,000 to 211,500. Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 303,000 in March, more than expected,and the unemployment rate changed little down to 3.8 percent. Job gains occurred in health care, government, and construction ([link removed]).
Convening on homelessness: Attend one of CCUSA's regional convenings on homelessness, which will be co-hosted by local Catholic Charities agencies. Representatives from the government and faith-based organizations shared challenges, ideas, solutions, and models of best practices for addressing homelessness. Registration ([link removed]) is open for Dallas, Texas (May 7-8); Philadelphia, Pa. (June 5-6); and Providence, RI (June 24-25); and Phoenix, Ariz. (Oct. 24-25). There is no cost to register, but space is limited. Also, a limited number of stipends for travel costs are available to Catholic Charities agency staff members.
Child Tax Credit: After passing the House, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 has yet to be taken up by the Senate, where it faces potential amendments that would weaken the legislation and make fewer families eligible for the credit. There is still time for you to urge your senators to pass the bill with an expanded Child Tax Credit by using CCUSA's action alert ([link removed]).
 
Trivia
Q. What is the origin of Divine Mercy Sunday (which will be celebrated April 7)?
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