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February 11, 2009
Call Your Representative and Senators: Urge Support for Economic Stimulus Measures that Reflect a Priority for Poor and Vulnerable People
TAKE ACTION NOW!
Both the United States House of Representatives and the Senate have passed different versions of the economic stimulus package entitled American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The House and Senate have appointed conferees to work out their differences and craft a bill for a final vote in both chambers by the end of the week. House conferees: David Obey (D-WI), Charles Rangel (D-NY), Henry Waxman (D-CA), Jerry Lewis (R-CA), and Dave Camp (R-MI) . Senate conferees: Max Baucus (D-MT), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Harry Reid (D-NV), Charles Grassley (R-IA), Thad Cochran (R-MS).
Call or e-mail your Representatives and Senators: Ask them to contact members of the Conference Committee and urge them to agree to an economic recovery bill with the following provisions:
- support the refundable child tax credit provisions in the House bill over the Senate provisions.
- support a temporary increase in funding for nutrition assistance programs that provide food to families in need, the unemployed, the disabled, and the elderly.
- oppose a provision in the House bill that would mandate the use of the E-verify employee verification system.
- support efforts to protect low-income families from losing Medicaid and social service assistance.
- support the inclusion of independent and religious schools as "shovel ready" projects which promote energy efficiency.
- support the House’s provisions reforming Unemployment Insurance benefits (UI).
- support capitalizing the new Housing Trust Fund, additional housing vouchers and protection for voucher holders who lose their homes due to foreclosure.
- support efforts to create jobs for veterans, at risk youth, low income people, and those trying to start a new life for themselves through a reentry or career training program.
WHY IS THIS ACTION IMPORTANT NOW?
The Congress will finalize the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 this week. It is important for them to include measures that reflect a priority for poor and vulnerable people. As Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, said in his letter to the Conferees: “Low-income families and individuals are experiencing the greatest hardship and have the least capacity to cope in this time of economic crisis. Low income people are also likely to use these new resources quickly to purchase the essentials of life and to help move our economy forward…. Attention to those most affected by the crisis with priority for the poor and vulnerable can restore economic growth by rebuilding hope and opportunity for those who are losing their jobs, their homes, and their chance at a decent life for their families.”
Action Alert—Senate Economic Stimulus—February 11, 2009—Page 2
WHAT DOES THIS ISSUE HAVE TO DO WITH MY FAITH?
Catholic teaching reminds us that “a fundamental measure of any economy is how the poor and vulnerable are faring” (U.S. Bishops, 1996). As our nation responds to the economic crisis, those who are poor and are least able to cope must be at the center of our policymaking. Catholics are called to bring this message to our elected officials. In his first encyclical letter, Pope Benedict XVI has taught that “ the building of a better world requires Christians to speak with a united voice in working to inculcate ‘respect for the rights and needs of everyone, especially the poor, the lowly and the defenceless’”(No. 29).
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators now. Urge a priority for poor and vulnerable people in the economic recovery bill and ask them to support the specific policies listed above. Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or find your Members’ contact information at www.congress.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Kathy Saile, Director, Domestic Social Development, USCCB, ksaile@usccb.org, (202) 541-3134
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