URGE YOUR SENATORS TO RESTORE FUNDS FOR DEBT RELIEF

 

Why this issue is important: In their 1999 Jubilee Call for Debt Forgiveness , the bishops of the United States joined our beloved Pope John Paul II in calling for debt relief, explaining that the “external debt of the poorest countries is crushing the lives and dignity of vulnerable children, women, and men.” As part of the Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty, USCCB and Catholics throughout the country have been advocating for adequate funding in the 2006 Foreign Operations Appropriations to meet the U.S. commitment to the recently signed G8 Agreement on Debt Cancellation.

The Senate version of the FY 2006 Foreign Operations Appropriations CUTS $50 million from what the President requested and the House passed for the International Development Association (IDA), reducing it from $950 to $900 million. We urge Senators to restore the $50 million and to provide the full $950 million.

 

Background : In June 2005 the G8 Finance Ministers reached an historic agreement to cancel all the debt that 18 Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) owe to the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank. This agreement was ratified at the G8 Summit in Scotland in July 2005.

 

To cancel multi-lateral debt without endangering future aid, the G8 promised to increase their contributions to the World Bank. During the most recent World Bank IDA-14 replenishment process, which takes place every three years, the United States increased its pledge from $850 to $950 million per year.

 

If the US does not fulfill its commitment to the Debt Cancellation proposal, it will send the wrong message to other donor countries and may undermine their commitments. The US needs to show leadership to ensure that the current G8 debt cancellation agreement, which will benefit 18 HIPC countries, does not unravel.

 

USCCB and our national advocacy partners strongly advocated for the Senate Appropriations Committee to include the full amount of $950 million in the FY 2006 Foreign Operations Appropriations.

 

ACTION REQUESTED: If your Senator is listed below, please contact him or her and urge full funding of the US contribution to the International Development Association at $950 million in the FY ‘06 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill.

 

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP: Get involved in the Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty ( www.usccb.org/globalpoverty), a joint effort by USCCB and Catholic Relief Services that encourages Catholics in the United States to learn about the issues of aid, trade and debt, how they affect our brothers and sisters worldwide, and what you can do to advocate for U.S. policies that promote economic and social development for people living in poverty.

 

For more information contact : Gerry Flood, USCCB, 202 541 3167, gflood@usccb.org; Fr. Andrew Small, OMI, USCCB, 202-541-3153, asmall@usccb.org.

 

Senators to Contact:

Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chair, Foreign Operations Sub-committee

Thad Cochran (R-MS), Chair, Appropriations Committee

Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ranking Member, Foreign Operations Sub-committee

Robert Byrd (D-WV), Ranking Member, Appropriations Committee

Mike DeWine (R-OH), Strong supporter of debt relief

 

Other Senators to Contact:

Arlen Specter (R-PA) Daniel Inouye (D-HI)

Judd Gregg (R-NH) Tom Harkin (D-IA)

Richard Shelby (R-AL) Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)

Robert Bennett (R-UT) Dick Durbin (D-IL)

Chris Bond (R-MO) Tim Johnson (D-SD)