If you are having trouble viewing this message, go here: [link removed]

May 24, 2024


 

News


Overview: Congress is scheduled to be out next week for the Memorial Day recess, when many members will be in their home districts. It's a good time to remember that the summer will bring more opportunities to meet with your members of Congress in district, bringing to them the important issues and needs of your communities. Consider reaching out to their district offices now to schedule a meeting or invite them to an event.

Meanwhile, speculations on Capitol Hill continue concerning the House of Representative's timing for a vote on the 12 appropriations bills.

The House and Senate versions of the farm bill have also been subjects of discussion. Regarding the farm bill, the future of the Thrifty Food Plan, which sets nutrition benefits, remains a point of contention between the House and Senate versions. The House version, which passed out of the Agriculture Committee on Friday morning, would not allow nutrition benefits to be adjusted for inflation. Funding for the farm bill ([link removed]) is another issue, with both versions coming up short. See the "Farm Bill'' paragraph below for CCUSA's response.

The border security bill, S. 4361, failed to advance ([link removed]) in the Senate this week.

Economy: In the week ending May 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims ([link removed]) was 215,000, a decrease of 8,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 222,000 to 223,000. The 4-week moving average was 219,750, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 217,750 to 218,000.

Farm Bill: CCUSA joined the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Rural Life, Catholic Relief Services, and the National Council of the United States of St. Vincent de Paul in a letter to the leadership of the House and Senate committees on agriculture ([link removed]) asking them to prioritize in the upcoming Farm Bill programs that feed the hungry. The letter urged the leaders to avoid cuts to SNAP's nutrition benefits, including cuts to future benefit amounts, and to adopt measures that support vulnerable farmers, sustain rural communities, and conserve the land. Read the full letter ([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, Catholic Charities agencies, and other faith-based organizations will share challenges, ideas, solutions, and models of best practices for addressing homelessness. Information gathered from the convenings will be used to produce a white paper and prepare for a national summit on preventing homelessness. Registration ([link removed]) is open for Philadelphia, Pa. (June 5-6); Providence, RI (June 24-25); Minneapolis, Minn. (Aug. 8-9); and Phoenix, Ariz. (Oct. 24-25). There is no cost to register, but space is limited. A limited number of stipends for travel costs are available to Catholic Charities agency staff members, and continuing education credits are available as well.

 

Trivia

Q. This Sunday the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. What is the first known use of the word "trinity" in speaking about God?

Please send your answers to share CCUSA's Washington Weekly ([link removed]) with your friends, family and networks so that we can build a movement of solidarity for those most in need!

Text "CCUSA" to 855-564-3197 to receive our action alerts! You can also access advocacy opportunities through our Action Center ([link removed]).

Stay connected with our work: Follow us on Twitter @EndPoverty ([link removed]).

If you would like to help further Catholic Charities' commitment to alleviating, reducing, and preventing poverty, you can contribute here ([link removed]).

([link removed])

Forward to a Friend:
[link removed]
Unsubscribe:
[link removed]