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This week coronavirus aid discussions trickled along while historic unemployment numbers continued to be reported.
The November elections are just around the corner and the hopes for a coronavirus aid package prior to the election remain unlikely. The House and White House continued negotiations this week with Speaker Pelosi indicating that they were closing in on a deal. The details of a potential deal are unknown at the moment, and even if a deal is struck between the House and White House, a potentially bigger obstacle looms. It remains unclear if there are enough votes in the Senate to support a larger COVID-19 relief bill.
The Senate has indicated they are not interested in passing a broader package that could total nearly $2 trillion. The Senate has instead focused on passing a scaled-down package closer to $1 trillion. Stay tuned to the Washington Weekly for continued updates on the coronavirus aid negotiations.
The Labor Department reported that, last week, 757,000 workers filed for new unemployment claims, and there were an additional 345,000 claims for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. The 1.1 million people filing for new claims last week bring the total Americans collecting some form of benefits to nearly 23 million. The persistent need for assistance underscores how critical it is for the White House and Congress to strike a deal to help the millions of Americans suffering from the impact of the pandemic.
Catholic Charities USA continues to call on Congress and the administration to strike a bipartisan agreement to help the millions of people and families struggling. You can read the full statement here.
You can encourage your member of Congress to act on coronavirus aid relief and remember people in poverty in any aid package.
Faith and the Common Good
As of yesterday, there were at least 8,354,300 cases of coronavirus in the U.S., and at least 222,416 people have died from the virus, according to Johns Hopkins University's tally of cases.
In light of this sad news, we look to Saint Raphael the Archangel who serves as the patron saint of healing.
Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners. I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the "medicine of God" I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body. I especially ask of you the favor (here mention your special intention), and the great grace of purity to prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Trivia
Why are presidential elections held in the United States on a Tuesday in November?
Please send your answers to socialpolicy@catholiccharitiesusa.org
On October 9th, the trivia question was, " Which organization ratified its charter and considers October 24th as its founding day?"
Samantha Yanity was the first to correctly answer last week's question as the United Nations. The year 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations and achieve international cooperation. It is the largest, most familiar, most internationally represented and most powerful intergovernmental organization in the world. The UN is headquartered in New York City, with its other main offices in Geneva, Nairobi, Vienna and The Hague.
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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