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This week, lawmakers remained at an impasse over a coronavirus aid package while unemployment claims dipped below one million. This is the first time claims have dipped below 1 million since March 14th. Unemployment claims were at 963,000--a decrease of 228,000 from the previous week's level.
More than 28 million Americans are still receiving unemployment assistance.
After a week of in-person negotiations between the White House and Congress, both sides indicated that an agreement was out of reach. The disagreement remains on the size and scope of the aid package.
The House-passed $3 trillion HEROES Act proposed extending the $600 weekly federal unemployment insurance (UI) benefit, another round of stimulus checks, extending the Payment Protection Program (PPP), additional coronavirus testing, and support for state and local governments.
The Senate-introduced $1 trillion HEALS Act also included stimulus checks, another round of PPP, and additional funds for coronavirus testing, but proposed a reduced expanded UI benefit of $200 and liability protections for businesses. The chasm between the House and Senate proposals remains wide and the next steps are unclear.
Another week of stalled coronavirus aid talks led to lawmakers beginning their August recess. Both chambers are not scheduled to return until mid-September. Congressional leaders indicated they would call Congress back to Washington if a deal was struck before September.
The stakes for an agreement intensified with the recent expiration of the enhanced UI program and the school year set to begin without the guarantee of federal dollars to keep children safe.
Catholic Charities USA is calling on Congress to come together and find solutions to help the millions of struggling families. You can help by telling Congress you stand with Catholic Charities and urge them to continue providing help to the millions of people still struggling.
On Saturday, President Trump issued a series of executive orders on evictions, extending unemployment insurance, and payroll tax cut in an attempt to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19. It is unclear whether the executive orders will go fully into effect.
Faith and the Common Good
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
Revelations 12:1
This weekend we celebrate the feast of the Assumption. Here is the prayer by Pope Pius XII presented on the Occasion of the Proclamation of the Dogma of the Assumption.
O Immaculate Virgin, mother of God and mother of humanity, we believe with all the fervour of our faith in your triumphal assumption both in body and in soul into heaven where you are acclaimed as queen by all the choirs of angels and all the legions of saints; we unite with them to praise and bless the Lord who has exalted you above all other pure creatures and to offer you the tribute of our devotion and our love.
We know that your gaze, which on earth watched over the humble and suffering humanity of Jesus, in heaven is filled with the vision of that humanity glorified and with the vision of uncreated wisdom, and that the joy of your soul in the direct contemplation of the adorable Trinity causes your heart to throb with overwhelming tenderness; and we, poor sinners whose body weights down the flight of the soul, beg you to purify our hearts so that, while we remain below, we may learn to see God and God alone in the beauties of his creatures.
We trust that your merciful eyes may deign to gaze down upon our miseries and anguish, upon our struggles and our weaknesses; that your countenance may smile upon our joys and our victories; that you may hear the voice of Jesus saying to you of each one of us, as he once said to you of his beloved disciple:
"Behold your son," and we who call upon you as our mother, we, like John, take you as the guide, strength and consolation of our mortal life.
We are inspired by the certainty that your eyes, which wept over the earth crimsoned by the blood of Jesus, are yet turned toward this world racked by wars and persecutions, the oppression of the just and the weak. From the shadows of this vale of tears, we seek in your heavenly assistance, tender mercy, comfort for our aching hearts, and help in the trials of Church and country.
We believe finally that in the glory where you reign, clothed with the sun and crowned with stars, you are, after Jesus, the joy and gladness of all the angels and the saints, and from this earth, over which we tread as pilgrims, comforted by our faith in the future resurrection, we look to you our life, our sweetness, our hope; draw us onward with the sweetness of your voice, so that one day, after our exile, you may show us Jesus, the blessed fruit of your womb.
O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary.
Amen.
Trivia
Which series of debates discussed slavery and its influence on American politics and society-and is now a popular format for high school debates?
Please send your answers to socialpolicy@catholiccharitiesusa.org
On August 7th, the trivia question was, "Which act was signed into law on which day to provide assistance for retirement?"
We did not receive any responses which correctly identified the Social Security Act as the law enacted to provide assistance for an individual's retirement. The Social Security Act of 1935 is a law enacted by the 74th United States Congress and signed into law by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The law was part of Roosevelt's New Deal domestic program.
The law created the Social Security program as well as insurance against unemployment. It also enabled States to make more adequate provision for aged persons, blind persons, dependent and crippled children, maternal and child welfare, public health, and the administration of their unemployment compensation laws; to establish a Social Security Board; to raise revenue; and for other purposes.
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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