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Overview: Last week's continuing resolution (CR) signed into law by President Biden will fund the government through Dec. 3, which means Congress still needs to finalize a longer-term funding bill. The economy continues to show signs of improvement with new claims for unemployment benefits coming in lower than expected. A short-term debt limit deal passed the Senate last night and awaits passage in the House, probably next week. Regarding the budget reconciliation bill, Congress remains bogged down in negotiations about the dollar amount and which items to include. The $1.5 trillion Senate-passed infrastructure bill awaits passage by the House, where progressives want to delay a vote until the reconciliation bill passes, and moderates want to vote more quickly.

Economy: "The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell to 326,000 in the week ending October 2, from a seven-week high of 364,000 in the previous period and below market expectations of 348,000. The number of claims moved toward a pandemic low of 312,000 reached in early September." (Source.) According to the Labor Department, September's employment report showed job gains of 194,000 and the unemployment rate fell to 4.8%. The number of workers reentering the labor force decreased by 198,000 in Sept. to 2.3 million. The labor force participation rate was at 61.6%. Average hourly earnings rose 0.6% in Sept. and were up 4.6% year over year.

Budget Reconciliation: It's still not clear when Congress will pass the Build Back Better budget reconciliation bill, or the infrastructure bill. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) seemed to be willing to support more than $1.5 trillion for the former, but he has since returned to his original figure. The administration and the Democratic caucus, in the meantime, are negotiating on how to trim their original $3.5 trillion price tag for the reconciliation bill. CCUSA wrote a letter in support of its priorities in budget reconciliation, including support for children, affordable housing, nutrition and healthcare. Click the following link for a summary of provisions we are watching: CCUSA's Budget Reconciliation Bill Summary.

Abortion and Budget Reconciliation: The current reconciliation proposal includes provisions that would expand Medicaid coverage in certain states, in what is referred to as the Medicaid Gap Fix. The House proposed language does this but, unfortunately, also effectively expands access to abortion. CCUSA supports fixing the Medicaid coverage gap but in a way that supports human life and dignity. This week, President Biden indicated he would sign a reconciliation bill with or without Hyde Amendment policy language which restricts federal funding for most abortions. President Biden stated, "I'd sign it either way...I want to get the bill passed."  

Debt Ceiling: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reached a short-term debt limit deal, which would increase the debt limit to $28.9 trillion and allow the U.S. to meet its obligations through Dec. 3, 2021. The Senate approved the deal last night, though with opposition from some GOP senators. The House will  vote on the deal next week, perhaps as early as Tuesday. The debt ceiling does not authorize new spending but allows the Treasury to raise money to pay for expenses the government has previously authorized. Beyond December, Congress must still decide on how to approve a long-term increase.

Child Tax Credit: There's still time to sign up for child tax credit payments before the Nov. 17 deadline and you don't need to pay taxes to receive the benefit. Click here to sign up with the easy tool.

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Last Sunday, the Church celebrated the first anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical, Fratelli tutti, which outlines the essential elements of social friendship among individuals, groups of people and nations. Not surprisingly, the pope highlights the service of love that brings about the good for the human person and the community.

"There is a kind of love that is 'elicited': its acts proceed directly from the virtue of charity and are directed to individuals and peoples. There is also a "commanded" love, expressed in those acts of charity that spur people to create more sound institutions, more just regulations, more supportive structures. It follows that 'it is an equally indispensable act of love to strive to organize and structure society so that one's neighbour will not find himself in poverty'. It is an act of charity to assist someone suffering, but it is also an act of charity, even if we do not know that person, to work to change the social conditions that caused his or her suffering. If someone helps an elderly person cross a river, that is a fine act of charity. The politician, on the other hand, builds a bridge, and that too is an act of charity. While one person can help another by providing something to eat, the politician creates a job for that other person, and thus practices a lofty form of charity that ennobles his or her political activity." (No. 186)

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Q. What tragic event began on October 8, 1871?

Please send your answers to [email protected]. 

Last week's question and answer:

Q. What event on October 1, 1890 has been hailed by nature lovers ever since?

A. Beverly Earl, director of family and community services, San Bernardino County, Catholic Charities San Bernardino, was the first to answer that on "October 1, 1890, an act of Congress creates Yosemite National Park, home of such natural wonders as Half Dome and the giant sequoia trees. Environmental trailblazer John Muir (1838-1914) and his colleagues campaigned for the congressional action, which was signed into law by President Benjamin Harrison and paved the way for generations of hikers, campers and nature lovers, along with countless 'Don't Feed the Bears' signs." (Source.) 

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