July 17, 2020

Inside this issue

• CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly

  CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly  
 
This week lawmakers are gearing up for Coronavirus aid negotiations while the economy continues to have record high unemployment claims and climbing Coronavirus cases. Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) delivered comments on a proposed asylum rule change.

The next round of Coronavirus aid discussions is expected to begin once the Senate releases their aid package, as early as next week. The House released their $3 trillion package, the HEROES Act, in May. While the details of a final package are unknown, both sides have indicated a growing need for further aid, and this could be the final package before the November elections. CCUSA is calling on Congress to include provisions in the next Coronavirus aid package that protect individuals and families and support charities. You can reach out to your member of Congress and tell them that you stand with Catholic Charities.

This week, the Labor Department announced there were 1.3 million new unemployment claims on a seasonally adjusted basis, while claims were at 1.5 million on an unadjusted basis. Typically, the Labor Department uses seasonal adjustments to smooth out the data and account for crop harvest and major holiday hiring trends. Continued seasonally adjusted unemployment claims came in at more than 17.3 million, down 422,000 from the previous week. Unseasonably adjusted continuing claims rose 838,000 from last week to 17.3 million. For the first time in several weeks both unadjusted initial and continued claims increased, raising alarm bells for some economists that the recovery could be stalling out.
The continued sluggish employment numbers are being fueled by states pausing opening due to the rampant spread of COVID-19. To date, the United States has more than 3,000,000 Coronavirus cases and more than 137,829 deaths, according to the New York Times database. Over the last 14 days the U.S. has seen a 44 percent increase of Coronavirus cases and 51 percent increase in deaths. You can find out the status of your state's reopening from the HHS Partnership Center here.
CCUSA submitted comments on the Administration's proposed rule that would create sweeping changes to the U.S. asylum system. The proposed rule would drastically narrow the protections immigrants could claim to gain asylum status by eliminating their eligibility based on claims of gang and domestic violence. The rule would restructure the asylum application process, preventing most applications from being entitled to a full court proceeding.

In the comments CCUSA said, "The United States must return as a global leader focused on addressing the root causes of migration and providing justice and humane treatment for those seeking asylum. The proposed rule is another unfortunate example of misdirected policy that shirks our country's standing as a global leader in exchange for concepts that offer no solution to the realities of migration. The vast majority of asylum seekers are likely to be denied asylum under these proposed rules even if they have well-founded fears of persecution." You can read the full comments here. 

Faith and the Common Good Prayer for Calmness
As he sat by the river,
the eyes of his understanding began to be opened;
not that he saw any vision,
but he understood and learnt many things,
both spiritual matters and matters of faith and of scholarship,
and this with so great an enlightenment
that everything seemed new to him.
- Ignatius of Loyola, The Autobiography

Walking with Moms in Need

The Parish Action Guide covering all 5 phases of the Year of Service is now available. While many parishes have delayed beginning Walking with Moms in Need, the guide will be a catalyst to planning and preparing. The Parish Action Guide includes sample timelines, announcements, prayers, activities, homily notes and more that can be adapted to each community's needs. These resources are provided to help guide parishes through the Year of Service as they work to better serve pregnant women in need. 

You can find all these resources and more online.

U.S. Census
The 2020 Census is more than a population count; it's an opportunity to shape a community's future. We know that due to the COVID-19 pandemic some individuals and families have yet to respond.  If you are looking for ways to encourage participation in your agency or parish, click here for the Faith Communities 2020 Census Action guide.

Trivia
When did the first food stamp program begin?
Please send your answers to [email protected]

On July 10, the trivia question was, Which politician is linked to the term "gerrymander"? 

Don Clark from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in Springfield, Missouri was the first to correctly answer with Elbridge Gerry. Gerry was the governor of Massachusetts, who signed into law a redistricting plan designed to keep his political party in power in the upcoming election.  This first "gerrymander" was drawn on a map and signed into law on February 11, 1812.

Elbridge Gerry was born on July 17, 1744.  He also served as the fifth vice president of the United States under James Madison. He signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. He was one of three men who attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787 who refused to sign the United States Constitution because it did not then include a Bill of Rights. After its ratification he was elected to the inaugural United States Congress, where he was actively involved in the drafting and passing of the Bill of Rights as an advocate of individual and state liberties.
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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