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September 20, 2024


 

News

Overview: Speaker Mike Johnson's six-month government funding plan failed on the House floor this week. The vote was 202-220. With less than two weeks to go before a possible government shutdown, the alternative of a three-month stopgap bill seems more likely to get the votes. Some members are urging their peers to focus on passing the 12 appropriations bills by the end of the year as well.

Economy: In the week ending September 14, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims ([link removed]) was 219,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 230,000 to 231,000. The 4-week moving average was 227,500, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised and is up by 250 from 230,750 to 231,000.

Department of Homeland Security Safety Webinar for Migrant-Serving Non-profit Organizations. Join various federal agency representatives on Friday, September 27, 2024, from 3:00-4:30 pm Eastern Time. This webinar is for leaders, staff, and volunteers of migrant-serving, non-profit organizations and will focus on security planning, to include gang violence awareness, for your organizations.DHS personnel from CISA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will share ways to enhance the safety, security, and resilience of your communities - especially against threats and acts of targeted violence.Register here ([link removed]).

Food and nutrition: CCUSA joined in a letter from Bread for the World to Congress that urges protection of SNAP and opposes the House of Representatives proposal for changes that would cut $30 billion from future SNAP benefits. The letter also encourages several other reforms to domestic and international food programs and asks that Congress not delay the final passage of the Farm Bill this year.

Housing and homelessness: CCUSA submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regarding changes to allocations to Requirements for Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) Grants. RUSH grants are designed to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness within declared disaster areas. These grants target needs that are not fully addressed by existing Federal disaster relief programs. The HUD proposes a new form of relief, instead of the standard regulatory waivers, that the HUD can utilize under the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program, RUSH Grants. HUD may make these grants to States or local governments to address the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in declared disaster areas and have needs not otherwise served or fully met by existing Federal disaster relief programs.

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. Among the Korean martyrs remembered today was Andrew Kim Taegon. What distinguishes him from the others?

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