April 9, 2020

Inside this issue

• CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly

  CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly  
  Lawmakers continue working to deal with the impact of the COVID-19. This week Congress continued to negotiate over infusing the economy with additional funds. Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) submitted comments for proposed changes to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).

Today, the Senate was unable to come to an agreement to provide additional Coronavirus aid. Democrats and Republicans each delivered  proposals seeking unanimous consent but were blocked by the other party. Republicans wanted to add an additional $250 billion for small businesses to retain staff. Democrats wanted $250 billion for small businesses and $250 billion for hospitals and local governments. The Senate plans to continue negotiations in the coming days.

CCUSA is calling on Congress to provide additional support to communities, nonprofits, and vulnerable populations. Some of the requests include:
asking Congress for to give the Small Business Administration a dedicated $60 billion in loans for nonprofits;
removing a 500-employee cap on access to the loan program;
increasing the charitable deduction to provide additional incentives for people to donate to charities;
allowing nonprofit workers who continue to serve vulnerable clients to have access to hazard pay;
increasing SNAP benefits by 15 percent;
increased funding for the Emergency Solutions Grant for people experiencing homelessness;
waiving barriers to programs for immigrants to have access to life sustaining food and healthcare.

CCUSA joined 135 other nonprofits calling on Congress to ensure that charitable nonprofits are supported in their service during these turbulent times. You can read the full letter here.

CRA Proposed Rule
Earlier this week, CCUSA submitted comments to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) regarding sweeping changes to the regulations implementing the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).

In 1977, the CRA was enacted to encourage banks to invest in the communities in which they were receiving deposits. The purpose was to decrease redlining and increase loans in lower-income communities. Under the proposed rule, banks would gain new flexibility when attempting to comply with CRA exams through a new metric and decrease the frequency of bank exams to every five years.

CCUSA believes that any changes to CRA regulations must expand the current emphasis on providing new and preserving current affordable housing units. You can read the full comments here.

Faith and the Common Good So when he had washed their feet
and put his garments back on and reclined at table again,
he said to them, "Do you realize what I have done for you?
You call me 'teacher' and 'master,'  and rightly so, for indeed I am.
If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet,
you ought to wash one another's feet.
I have given you a model to follow,
so that as I have done for you, you should also do."
John 13:12-15
 
It is a difficult time for everyone. For many, very difficult. The Pope knows this and, with these words, he wants to tell everyone of his closeness and affection. Let us try, if we can, to make the best use of this time: let us be generous; let us help those in need in our neighborhood; let us look out for the loneliest people, perhaps by telephone or social networks; let us pray to the Lord for those who are in difficulty in Italy and in the world. Even if we are isolated, thought and spirit can go far with the creativity of love. This is what we need today: the creativity of love. This is what is needed today: the creativity of love.

Video Message of His Holiness Pope Francis to Mark the Holy Week 2020, April 3, 2020

Trivia On April 21, 1876 Congress passed the Turf Protection Law, what does the law do?
Please send your answers to [email protected]

Please share the weekly with your friends, family and networks so that we can build a movement of solidarity for those most in need!

You can also access advocacy opportunities through our advocacy and policy page.

Stay connected with our work to end poverty, follow us on Twitter at @CCharitiesUSA.

If you would like to help further Catholic Charities' commitment to alleviating, reducing, and preventing poverty you can contribute here.
 
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