This week saw more analysis and review of the American Rescue Plan. With the crisis at the border continuing and two mass shootings, there was less talk about COVID-19 and more focus about those arriving at the border and the need to address gun violence. The Housing Eviction Moratorium is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2021. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, one in five renters is behind on their rent, and more than 10 million Americans have fallen behind on mortgage payments since COVID-19 began. But due to implementation delays, many Americans have not yet received direct payments from the government, putting them at risk of eviction. In response, CCUSA joined the USCCB and the Catholic Health Association in a letter to the CDC urging a continued extension of the eviction moratorium and to "strengthen the moratorium so that it is automatic and universal, closes loopholes in the moratorium's protections, and enforces those protections." This week, the Senate voted to pass the Paycheck Protection Program extension through June 30, 2021. This program will support small businesses in response to COVID-19. For the final 30 days of the program (June 1-30, 2021), the Small Business Administration may only process applications submitted prior to June 1, and it may not accept any new loan applications. President Biden is expected to unveil his massive plan to improve the nation's infrastructure during the upcoming week, and it is expected that this will be a pitch for another multi trillion-dollar government spending package. With continued concern about the economy, Marty Walsh was confirmed as the new secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor on March 22, 2021. Secretary Walsh is known as a lifelong champion of equity and fairness, and a proud son of Boston. Secretary Walsh leads the U.S. Department of Labor with a strong connection to working people and a commitment to creating an economy that works for all. It was reported on March 25 that the U.S. had at least 69,586 new coronavirus cases and 1,270 new coronavirus deaths, which represents a slight increase compared to last week. The CDC reported that 159,355 million people have received at least one dose of the vaccine, including 79 million who have been fully vaccinated. Although signs are promising, people should remain vigilant in their use of masks and social distancing. To learn more about how you can get the vaccine please contact your state health department for more information on its plan for COVID-19 vaccination. Please visit the CCUSA Social Policy/Advocacy page for updates and policy papers. See here.
Faith and the Common Good
On March 26th 1967, Pope Paul VI released his encyclical Populorum Progressio: On the Development of Peoples. Pope Paul VI wrote the encyclical Populorum Progressio in 1967 to address the world economy and its effect on peoples around the world. At this time many nations saw their economic development stall, while others continued to grow at a record pace. In the document he talks about the rights of workers to a just wage, job security, reasonable working conditions, and to join a worker's association. Prayer During Difficult Economic Times Gracious God,
We know that your love is infinite and that you care about all areas of our life.
In this time of economic insecurity, help us to trust that all of our security is in you.
Keep us mindful that you always have and always will provide for our needs.
Apart from you, we can do nothing. Merciful God,
We ask that you give our leaders the wisdom to guide our nation and the world
out of the current economic crisis.
Help us to protect the poor and all those who are struggling during this difficult time.
Provide for their needs and give them hope.
Open new opportunities for them and furnish the resources they need to live with dignity. Encourage those who have enough to share essential resources
with those who lack the necessities of life,
and to do so with humble, grateful and loving hearts. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen. © United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Trivia
Who was the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States? On March 19th, the trivia question was, "Who was the first indigenous person to be confirmed to lead a U.S. federal agency?" lydonj@ only shared their email, but they were the first to correctly identify Debra Anne Haaland as the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary. She was confirmed as the 54th United States secretary of the Interior on March 15, 2021, and was sworn in on March 18, 2021. She served as the U.S. representative for New Mexico's 1st congressional district from 2019 to 2021. Along with Sharice Davids, she is one of the first two Native American women elected to the U.S. Congress. Haaland is an enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo and a 35th generation New Mexican. The Laguna Pueblo is a tribe of Native American Pueblo people in west-central New Mexico, near the city of Albuquerque, in the United States. The name, Laguna, means "small lake" and derives from the lake on their reservation. This body of water was formed by an ancient dam that was constructed by the Laguna people.
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