This week in Washington, Congressional committees were confirming additional administration staff at agencies including the Departments of Agriculture and Defense. Republican Congressional leaders said it may be possible to reach agreement with President Joe Biden on an infrastructure plan after meeting on Thursday at the White House. In Congress, House Republicans elected Representative Elise Stefanik of New York to replace Representative Liz Cheney as their number three leader in the House of Representatives. Congressional earmarks returned and 2887 requests were submitted by House members totaling $5.9 billion, according to a document released by the House Appropriations Committee. That figure, which includes all requests and some duplicates, is lower than the cap on earmarked spending. Some members did not participate, and it is believed that some were very careful due to the previous 10-year ban on earmarks. This week, a ransomware cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline created long lines and dry gas pumps in the southeastern portion of the country from the Alabama foothills to the Chesapeake Bay. At least 12,000 gas stations reported being completely empty, and the squeeze pushed the price of a gallon past $3, its highest in years. Shortages persisted Friday as gas stations throughout the Southeast awaited deliveries after the region's main pipeline resumed operations following a cyberattack. COVID-19 Update On May 13, 2021, the CDC reported that there were 34,934 new COVID-19 cases and 761 deaths. Across the country, 156 million people have received at least one dose of the vaccine, including 118 million people who have been fully vaccinated. This week the CDC advisers endorsed the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 12 to 15. And on Thursday, the CDC also indicated that those who are fully vaccinated may go without masks both inside and outside except in certain situations. Full guidance can be found here. In addition to this promising news, people who are still not vaccinated should remain vigilant in their use of masks and social distancing. To learn more about how you can get the vaccine, search vaccines.gov, text your zip code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations. Please visit the CCUSA Social Policy/Advocacy page for updates and policy papers. See here.
Faith and the Common Good
Yesterday, we celebrated the Feast of Ascension marking the moment Jesus literally ascended into heaven before disciples. His Ascension was the culmination of the 40 days that Jesus traveled and preached with his apostles, preparing them for his departure from Earth. Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God,
and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving,
for the Ascension of Christ your Son
is our exaltation,
and, where the Head has gone before in glory,
the Body is called to follow in hope.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Trivia
Which American author recently wrote a book in Italian and then had it translated into English? On May 7th, the trivia question was, "Who designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC? Nicholas Hosmer was the first to correctly name Maya Lin as the American architect and sculptor who is best known for her design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Lin won a public design competition to design the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to be built on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Her design, one of 1,422 submissions, specified a black granite wall with the names of 57,939 fallen soldiers carved into its face (hundreds more have been added since the dedication), to be v-shaped, with one side pointing toward the Lincoln Memorial and the other toward the Washington Monument. The memorial was completed in late October 1982 and dedicated in November 1982. Maya Lin is featured with other artists in a collection at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Learn more about her and other Asian American artists here.
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