Overview: This week, Congress passed a Department of Homeland Security funding measure for organizations under DHS' purview including the Coast Guard, TSA, and FEMA but excluding offices dealing with immigration enforcement. Congressional Republicans intend to fund Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement via a budget reconciliation process that avoids the possibility of a Senate filibuster. Also this week, the House passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (aka Farm Bill), which moves to the Senate now for consideration.
CCUSA submitted comments in response to HUD's proposed rule on the flexibility in implementing work requirements and time limits. Read the comments.
Appropriations: CCUSA joined other Catholic organizations in calling on Congress to address the moral and human dimensions of the FY2027 Agriculture Appropriations legislation. Nutrition programs that support the basic right to food should be strengthened, recognizing both an increase in food insecurity and administrative actions that have harmed those who are hungry and the farmers who feed them. Read the full letter.
Economy: In the week ending April 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 189,000, a decrease of 26,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 214,000 to 215,000. The 4-week moving average was 207,500, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 210,750 to 211,000.