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September 13, 2024


 

News

Overview: Congress returned from recess this week (and so does Washington Weekly!). Members of Congress are focused on passing a stopgap spending bill to keep the government running after Sept. 30, 2024. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson had wanted to bring a vote this week, but since he faced opposition he has postponed a vote until next week. The Farm Bill and annual defense authorization bill are also pending.

Economy: In the week ending September 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims ([link removed]) was 230,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 227,000 to 228,000. The 4-week moving average was 230,750, an increase of 500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 230,000 to 230,250.

Income, poverty, and health insurance stats: The U.S. Census Bureau held an online news conference to announce the findings of three reports estimating 2023 income, poverty and health insurance coverage in the United States. The reports -- Income in the United States: 2023 ([link removed]), Poverty in the United States: 2023 ([link removed]), and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2023 ([link removed]) -- provide national statistics from the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement ([link removed]) (CPS ASEC).

Federal Grants Reforms-Increase in Reimbursement Rates: On October 1, 2024, the new and improved Office of Management and Budget (OMB Uniform Guidance ([link removed])) goes into effect, guarantying organizations that apply for federal grants greater reimbursement rates for indirect costs, easier grant application and reporting procedures, and more. In many cases, federal grantmaking departments and agencies have already started following the new rules and can approve higher indirect cost reimbursement rates now on new or renewed grants/contracts. These are long-sought reforms for which we have advocated for during the past several years through the Council of Nonprofits coalition.

Anti-human trafficking: CCUSA participated in two webinars about the collaboration between law enforcement and the local community in combating human trafficking. The series presented the responsibilities and strategies employed by law enforcement in identifying and investigating cases, while also addressing challenges and innovative approaches being implemented. You can access the recordings via YouTube ([link removed]).

CCUSA's convenings on homelessness: Register today for our upcoming forum ([link removed]) in Phoenix (October 24-25). Throughout 2024, CCUSA has been collaborating with local Catholic Charities agencies to host several regional convenings that better equip attendees to raise awareness around the crisis of homelessness in America. This series, Advocacy Forums: A Convening on Practical Solutions to Address Homelessness ([link removed]), provides a platform to discuss the state of homelessness in local communities, states and regions; share challenges, ideas, solutions and models of best practice for addressing homelessness; and federal-level advocacy training. The collective wisdom, best practices and innovative solutions developed at these convenings will help guide the creation of a new white paper and inform preparations for a national summit on homelessness prevention. Leaders and staff from Catholic Charities agencies, Catholic organizations, Catholic parishes, other faith communities and local collaborators are encouraged to attend. Presenters include CCUSA staff, Catholic Charities leaders, community leaders and local, state and federal agency staff. Registration for the events is free, and a limited number of stipends for travel costs are available for Catholic Charities agency staff members. Attendees also can receive up to 5.5 social work continuing education credits through their participation.

 

Trivia

Q. Today the church celebrates the memorial of St. John Chrysostom. What is the meaning of "Chrysostom" and what does it say about St. John?

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