Overview: Senators have advanced five bills out of the Appropriations Committee for consideration by the full Senate: Agriculture-FDA, Commerce-Justice-Science, Legislative Branch, Military Construction-VA, and Transportation-Housing and Urban Development spending bill. Some Senate Democrats are asking for no more partisan rescissions in exchange for their support for a government-funding package.
Economy: In the week ending July 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 217,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 221,000. The 4-week moving average was 224,500, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 229,500.
Executive Order: On July 24, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order regarding homelessness in cities across the nation: Ending Crime and Disorder on America's Streets. The CCUSA government relations team is reviewing the order and plan to respond via the rulemaking process.
Take Action: The U.S. House of Representatives is on recess until September, at which time it will return and need to address FY2026 appropriations. Now is the time to reach out to your elected officials while they are back in the district. Consider meeting with them or their staff to share the importance of funding and the impact of programs on constituents. Invite them to a site visit and attend town hall meetings to discuss the impact of their decisions on constituents. If you have questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to contact the GR team at [email protected].
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Although it is true that we must live out our faith through concrete actions, faithfully carrying out our duties according to our state of life and vocation, it is essential that we do so only after meditating on the Word of God and listening to what the Holy Spirit is saying to our hearts. To this end, we should set aside moments of silence, moments of prayer, times in which, quieting noise and distractions, we recollect ourselves before God in simplicity of heart. This is a dimension of the Christian life that we particularly need to recover today, both as a value for individuals and communities, and as a prophetic sign for our times. We must make room for silence, for listening to the Father who speaks and "sees in secret" (Mt 6:6). Summer can be a providential time to experience the beauty and importance of our relationship with God, and how much it can help us to be more open, more welcoming to others. Homily of Pope Leo XIV, Cathedral of Albano, 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 20 July 2025
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Q. July 25 is the feast of St. James, apostle. What distinguishes him among the twelve apostles?
Please send your answers to [email protected].
Previous question and answer:
Q. What is the only river named in the Book of Revelation?
A. Thanks to Alicia McGill, who was first with the right answer: Euphrates. |
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