Current JPIC Actions & Legislation's In Progress
Federal Budget Timely publications that alert our readers on current and upcoming peace and social justice activities, legislative actions that promote human dignity, and integrity in all creation. 111th Congress Legislation Contact Information
... JPIC Office Petitions The JPIC Office have been closely following these recent legislation's that have been passed and those that are still pending. We invite you to visit these petitions weekly and to advocate. Winter, 2009 ... Action & Legislation In Progress: ... * The Obama Administration has designed a new website called Health Insurance Reform Reality Check to help you better understand their plans for reform. President Obama was quoted saying, whether or not you have health insurance right now, the reforms we seek will bring stability and security that you don't have today. This isn't about politics, this is about people's lives, people's businesses and about their future. We now invite you to visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/?e=10&ref=image. * An update information on Immigration Reform, Recently – In a speech in Guadalajara, Mexico, President Obama said he expects to have a draft immigration bill in Congress by year’s end and laid out a timeline that we can expect from the administration and Congress. To learn more about his speech and updates on immigration visit http://www.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/blog/us-to-reform-policy-on-detention-for-immigrants/
... Federal Budget, This advocacy addresses the general caps on the budget for such vital services as education, housing, employment, healthcare for children and care for older Americans. On April 2, 2009 both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed their fiscal year 2010 budget resolutions. The Senate passed its measure by a vote of 55 to 43, while the House adopted its version by at vote of 233 to 196, primarily along party lines. Both resolutions closely track President Obama FY 2010 request, with minor differences in policy and spending priorities; the Senate provides $3.5 trillion in spending and the House $3.6 trillion. Both chambers had spirited and partisan discussions during the debate. In the House, Republicans attempted to pass an alternative budget, which aimed to significantly reduce the president’s request. In the Senate, Republican leaders did not offer a separate budget, but offered a number of failed amendments to reduce the president’s request and provide more tax breaks. To read the entire resolution that was passed, please go to http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Document.Doc?id=1601. You can also visit any of these websites for more information http://www.whitehouse.gov/, http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1174 and http://www.chn.org/ Farm Bill, the President’s Fiscal Year 2010 Budget provides $25.7 billion for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). To benefit rural Americans, the budget targets aid to family farmers -- rather than corporate megafarms -- and supports rural initiatives with goals that include the expansion of broadband services, development of leadership in the field of renewable energy, and expansion of education and research efforts. The budget reflects President Obama's commitment to forest restoration and wildfire control, the protection of new lands, and investments in conservation efforts in concert with landowners. Provisions to support a strong Childhood Nutrition and WIC reauthorization package demonstrate the President’s intent to end childhood hunger by 2015. Food safety priorities also are apparent in the budget resources for food inspection and assessment. The JPIC Office continues to support this bill, which also addresses significant legislation that affects the nutritional programs for HIV/AIDS persons and trade relationships with developing countries. For more information and efforts to monitor the progress visit any of these websites. Catholic Relief Services (CRS), http://www.crs.org/ , http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/globalpoverty/, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), National Catholic Rural Life Conference @ http://www.ncrlc.com/ and Unites States Department of Agriculture @ http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdafarmbill?navtype=SU&navid=FARM_BILL_FORUMS, Farm AID @ http://www.farmaid.org/site/c.qlI5IhNVJsE/b.2723595/k.EE67/Family_Farmers_Good_Food_A_Better_America.htm HIV/AIDS Funding, thanks to your continued efforts and those of many others concerned about our brothers and sisters affected by HIV and AIDS. The ONE campaign welcomed the $2.9 billion increase in funding for global poverty alleviation included in President Obama's FY2010 budget request, released in spring of 2009, part of an overall $4.1 billion increase over FY2009 in the International Affairs budget (also known as the 150 Account). ONE applauded the overall increase in anti-poverty funding and the robust increase in long-term global health spending. To read the entire press release, please go to http://www.one.org/c/us/pressrelease/1779/. To also monitor the spending go to http://www.pepfar.gov/. The Ryan White Act has been reauthorized as of October 21, 2009 President Obama will be signing soon. Stop Human Trafficking, The United States of America is principally a transit and destination country for trafficking in persons. It is estimated that 14,500 to 17,500 people, primarily women and children, are trafficked to the U.S. annually. The U.S. Government is strongly committed to combating trafficking in persons at home and abroad.
To obtain on-going efforts on Human Trafficking, visit http://www.stopenslavement.org/index.html. On July 13, 2009 at the annual meeting of the Franciscan Federation the membership voted to join the USCCB's efforts on human trafficking. For more information visit http://www.usccb.org/mrs/trafficking/usccbresponse.shtml The Crisis in Darfur, Earlier this year, President Obama reminded us of his commitment and obligation to end the atrocities in Darfur. Since then, we've been anxiously waiting to see his plan for peace. The Obama administration now appears close to finalizing their plan, but much depends on when and how it is released. President Obama must personally announce his plan, and clearly state his commitment to that plan as a national priority. On October 20, the White House unveils Sudan Strategy, to read visit http://www.savedarfur.org/pages/clips/white-house-unveils-sudan-strategy/. For regular updates on Darfur visit http://action.savedarfur.org/, http://www.africaaction.org/ and http://www.crs.org/sudan/needs-continue/. The Jewish Council for Public Affairs, offers weekly Darfur Reports. These reports are designed to educate the organized Jewish community and others on issues related to the genocide in that region. It also includes political and legislative developments. To obtain their website click this link http://www.jewishpublicaffairs.org/. Immigration Reform, Now that the 111th Congress is in full swing, as experts predicted that the U.S. Senate is considering comprehensive immigration reform. On July 9, 2009 the U.S. Senate passed the fiscal year (FY) 2010 Homeland Security appropriations bill. The $44.3 billion measure includes strong immigration provisions not included in the bill passed by the House of Representatives. Several border and worksite enforcement amendments were adopted including an amendment by Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) that would require all federal contractors to check the citizenship eligibility of employees using the electronic-verification system. The Senate also adopted an amendment that would allow private sector employers to check the eligibility of current workers. The current system only allows employers to check the eligibility status of new hires. The Drean ACT has been recently reintroduced, the JPIC Office has been closely following this legislation, you too can follow by visiting http://www.nilc.org/immlawpolicy/DREAM/index.htm. This issue will surely continue to be very important to our nation, in the mean time you can visit these websites for more updated information and suggested actions.
Water, the JPIC Office observed the United Nations "Shared Water - Shared Opportunities" earlier this spring. Consequently, we are advocating against the privatization of water that hurts local communities. This alert addresses this concern and provides in-depth information on water locally and globally. To learn more visit these websites http://www.stopcorporateabuse.org/, http://www.insidethebottle.org/ and http://www.ncrlc.com/water_commons.html. SCHIP/CHAMP, This advocacy addresses the need to increase funding for low income children. On January 29th, the U.S. Senate approved the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009, better known as the State Children's Health Insurance Program or SCHIP. Once signed into law, this legislation will continue coverage for six to seven million children and increase that coverage to four million more. To read more about this programm visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/latest-version-of-schip-legislation-published-for-comment/. ...
You can download a copy of the latest issue of Mother Earth Sister Peace (Spring/Summer 2009) here. If you need a hard copy, or have questions, call (630.909.6635) or email the JPIC Office and we will mail you a copy or add you to our mailing list.
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