Catholic Charities USA: Washington Weekly 7/26/10
July 26, 2010
Volume 5 Number 25
Inside this issue:
- Special Edition of Washington Weekly
- CCUSA President Testifies on Gulf Coast Oil Crisis
- President Obama Signs Bill to Extend Unemployment Insurance
- Catholic Charities USA Attends Meeting on Family Financial Stability
- Senate Committee Advances HUD Spending Bill
- Human Trafficking Caucus Hosts Briefing on Human Trafficking
- Participate in Catholic Charities Sunday
- Register Today for Catholic Charities USA’s Centennial Gathering!
Special Edition of Washington Weekly
Please watch for a special edition of Washington Weekly this week with information about the Catholic Charities USA Centennial Gathering and the historic advocacy day on Capitol Hill.
CCUSA President Testifies on Gulf Coast Oil Crisis
On July 20, Rev. Larry Snyder, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, testified before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight hearing on the immediate need for charitable assistance in the Gulf Coast Region.
His testimony provided the subcommittee with insight on the impact of the oil leak on local communities and the challenges facing Catholic Charities agencies in meeting the demands for services. To date, Catholic Charities agencies along the Gulf Coast have provided more that 20,000 units of service to local communities. He reported that funding for these services is being provided out of the agencies’ standard operating budgets and that there is a dire need to access greater funding that can be used to serve the immediate and long-term needs of the growing vulnerable population.
He stated that one major challenge facing the region is that several national efforts to raise support have received limited response. He told the subcommittee that Americans are generous and supportive during disaster, but due to the type of media coverage and the federal government’s response to this current oil leak, the public has not responded with the same level of donation as in past disasters. Though BP might be held accountable for the damages caused to the environment and many of the small businesses in the region, the long-term impacts of this disaster on local non-profits will be costly. Without increased public engagement, both in terms of volunteers and monetary support, the impact on non-profits will be severe because BP will not cover all the damages and families will continue to turn to local service providers for help in rebuilding their lives.
During his testimony, Fr. Snyder called for a national disaster declaration, a new program of disaster unemployment assistance, and congressional approval of a coordinated regional plan to develop a long-term recovery.
Catholic Charities USA continues to advocate for assistance to local agencies in the region working to meet the immediate and long-term needs of those affected by the oil crisis.
To download the complete testimony, click here.
To watch the testimony, click here.
President Obama Signs Bill to Extend Unemployment Insurance
On July 23, President Obama signed into law legislation to extend unemployment insurance benefits to an estimated 2.5 million workers who have been out of work for at least six months. This extension will provide benefits through November 2010 and benefits will be retroactive to June 2, 2010 when the last extension expired. After a long and sometimes contentious debate in the Senate, the measure finally passed with the support of two Republican Senators, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine. Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) was the sole Democrat to vote against the measure. Earlier in the week, President Obama held a press event at the White House to urge Congress to pass legislation to extend benefits. The President was joined by several dislocated workers, including a consumer of services from Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens.
For more information, please contact Desmond Brown, Senior Director of Government Affairs at dbrown@catholiccharitiesusa.org
Catholic Charities USA Attends Meeting on Family Financial Stability
On July 22, Candy Hill, Senior Vice President of Social Policy and Government Affairs attended an invitation only meeting on promoting family financial stability hosted by Bank of America, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, LISC, the McArthur Foundation, and United Way Worldwide.
The two-day meeting brought together policy makers, partners and practioners to share tools and technology as well as celebrate the efforts of early leaders in the mission to promote family economic success.
For more information, please contact Candy Hill, Sr. Vice President of Social Policy and Government Affairs at chill@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
Senate Committee Advances HUD Spending Bill
On July 22, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation- Housing and Urban Development marked up and approved its fiscal year 2011 spending bill. The bill provides $122 billion for transportation and housing programs. This is roughly $700 million below the administration’s request for these programs. The bill includes $68 billion in discretionary spending, equaling fiscal year 2010 spending level. The bill includes the following funding levels for several housing programs that impact the families served by Catholic Charities agencies:
- $2.5 billion for the public housing capital fund, an increase of $467 million above the President’s budget request and $10 million above the fiscal year 2010 enacted level. The bill also includes $4.8 billion for the public housing operating fund, which is $54 million more than the fiscal year 2010 enacted level and equal to the budget request.
- $9.4 billion for the project-based section 8 program, including over $9.1 billion for the renewal of all expiring project-based contracts for a full 12 months. This is $830 million above the fiscal year 2010 enacted level and equal to the President’s budget.
- $2.055 billion for homeless assistance grants. This level of funding is nearly $200 million above the fiscal year 2010 enacted level and is equal to the President’s request.
The package also rejected the administration’s proposed cuts to Section 202 Housing for the Elderly and 811 Housing for the Disabled. Elderly housing is funded at $825 million and disabled housing at $200 million.
The bill will now go to the Senate floor for consideration; however, the timing is uncertain.
More information on the legislation is available here.
For more information, please contact Desmond Brown, Senior Director of Government Affairs at dbrown@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
Caucus Hosts Briefing on Human Trafficking
On July 19, The Victims’ Rights Caucus and the Human Trafficking Caucus held a briefing to discuss the pervasive and troubling issue of domestic sex trafficking of minors. Speakers included:
- Former Congresswoman Linda Smith, Founder, Shared Hope International who discussed the need for anti trafficking legislation in the United States as well as access to improved systems and shelters.
- Sergeant Ryan Long, Vice Division, Seattle Police Department stressed the need to include law enforcement in training and prevention programs. In addition, he discussed the trauma bond that exists between trafficked children and the person who is trafficking them.
- Ernie Allen, President and CEO, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children spoke of the need for different community sectors to work together.
- Emily Fitchpatrick, Director, Hope House shared her experiences as a shelter provider and provided insight on trauma and trust issues.
- Sidney Ford, Executive Director and Founder of You Are Never Alone (YANA) spoke of the need for a national response as well as the successes of local task forces.
Legislation to address domestic trafficking has been introduced in both the House and the Senate. To view the full text and summary HR 5575 the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2010, please click here. To view the full text and summary of S. 2925 Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2009, please click here.
Every year hundreds of thousands of American and international children under the age of 18 are sexually exploited. Another 300,000 American children and youth are at risk each year of becoming victims.
Catholic Charities USA makes domestic and international trafficking resources available for agencies to use to help mobilize their communities to identify and serve all children who are victims of trafficking.
For more information, please contact Ryan Smith, Policy Analyst at rsmith@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
Participate in Catholic Charities Sunday
On September 25, 2010, Catholic Charities USA will celebrate its Centennial anniversary. This anniversary provides a once in a lifetime platform from which to proclaim the sanctity of human life and the dignity of the person and call all individuals, families, communities and organizations to work together to help us meet our needs, address our issues, eliminate oppression, and build a just and compassionate society.
As Catholic Charities USA reflects on the last 100 years, the impact of partnership efforts, like ours, have been pivotal to the help and hope that has been created for millions of people on the margins of our society. Thus, as we recognize the potential and responsibility of our centennial, Catholic Charities USA is once again seeking your partnership.
In honor of the centennial, the U.S. Catholic Bishops designated Sunday, September 26, 2010 as National Catholic Charities Sunday. National Catholic Charities Sunday provides parishes with the opportunity to celebrate Catholic Charities’ long standing efforts to provide help and create hope for millions of people in need each year and to advance a vision for our society in which individuals and communities can reach their God-given potential.
Catholic Charities USA has developed materials to help parishes celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Catholic Charities by reflecting on the Gospel and the witness of Catholic Charities, raising their voice to advocate for life and dignity for all, and responding to need and injustice in their communities. These materials are available in English and Spanish at: www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/ccsunday.
We ask that you encourage your networks to host and spread the word about National Catholic Charities Sunday. Please forward this information and materials along to your contacts at parishes and dioceses.
If you have any questions or need any support, please contact me at rlustig@catholiccharitiesusa.org or (703) 236-6234
Register Today for Catholic Charities USA’s Centennial Gathering!
One hundred years ago, 400 delegates from 24 states gathered in Washington, DC to form what is now known as Catholic Charities USA, a compassionate network of social justice advocates and caregivers, providing help and creating hope for millions of Americans each year.
On September 25-28, 2010, Catholic Charities USA will once again gather in Washington, DC to celebrate our Centennial and make plans for the next 100 years.
We invite you to join us in Washington and take this historic moment to reflect upon our 100 year history, recognize regional programs that are effectively reducing poverty, and renew your commitment to each other and to our brothers and sisters in need.
Register now! Early bird registration ends July 31st.
In addition to hundreds - even thousands – of Catholic Charities agency staff, social justice advocates, partners and coalition representatives, and people of good will, you will have the unique opportunity to interact with:
- Josef Cardinal Cordes, President, Pontifical Council Cor Unum, will provide the keynote at Sunday’s breakfast
- Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago and President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, will serve as celebrant and homilist at Saturday’s liturgy
- Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, Archdiocese of New York, will preside at the Mass on Catholic Charities Sunday and present a keynote address
- Rev. Bryan Hehir, Former President of Catholic Charities USA
- Mark Shields, syndicated columnist and political analyst, PBS Newshour
- Any many more new and familiar faces! Check our Web site for updates.
