Call for Congressional Action in 2010 "Lame-Duck" Session

Just before Congress returned to Washington for its lame-duck session (beginning on November 15), NETWORK Lobbyist Marge Clark, BVM, sent letters to every individual member thanking them for their work in the 111th Congress and asking for specific action on pending legislation. We invite you to read these letters for more information about what Congress must address – and to send your own messages to Congress by going to http://capwiz.com/networklobby/issues/alert/?alertid=19307681.

Letter to U.S. Senators

Dear Senator [name]:

Welcome back after a long and difficult election season. Thank you for your hard work so far during the 111th Congress. We at NETWORK, a National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, look forward to working with you on the critical issues that were put off until after the election. The Senate has delayed action on many important issues. As the post-election session of Congress begins, we urge you to find solutions to the pressing problems of our day. Tax cuts, appropriations, the DREAM Act, New START Agreement and the National Criminal Justice Commission Act are all necessary reforms, and NETWORK believes they should be a focus for this session.

TAXES: 

It is important that the people who have been most affected by the Great Recession receive support from their government. By cutting taxes for the middle class and not the rich, the Senate will be ensuring a better future for those who suffer most in our country while not incurring unnecessary debt for our nation. We believe tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 should not be extended for the wealthiest Americans — Individuals/couples making $200,000/$250,000 a year. NETWORK urges you to make that issue separate from the issue of the tax cuts for the middle class and refundable tax credits including the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, which should all be made permanent. In addition, the Estate Tax should be put back into effect and at least match 2009 levels.

SAFETY NET PROGRAMS: 

Additionally, the appropriations bills must not cut funding for any of the safety net programs. Americans are suffering, and cutting government assistance would only further their hardship.

DREAM ACT: 

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (S.3827) is an important piece of immigration reform. Providing an opportunity for thousands of young immigrants to achieve their goals will help improve the quality of life for them and future generations, as it will provide a well-educated workforce for America.

NEW START: 

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty is an important step toward making the world a safer place. Nuclear weapons are a threat to human dignity and all of creation and as a world leader, the United States has a responsibility to help reduce and eliminate them.

Finally, The National Criminal Justice Commission Act (S.714) has passed the House and has bipartisan support in the Senate. The incarceration rate in the United States is too high; so is the recidivism rate. Our prisons are overcrowded and straining state budgets. This is unacceptable. This act is a good first step toward finding solutions.

As disappointing as it was to us and our fellow citizens that the Senate was not able to bridge the pre-election political hostility in order to bring about solutions to so many pressing issues, it would be much worse to let them carry over into another year. We urge the Senate to FINALLY act now and solve some of these critical problems. The time to act is NOW!

Sincerely, Marge Clark, BVM, for NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby

Letter to U.S. Representatives

Dear Representative [name]:

Thank you for all the great work you have done during your time as a Member of the House of Representatives. We look forward to working with you during the remainder of this session. Earlier this term action on critical issues was delayed until after the election, and that time is now. With the end of the 111th Congress approaching it is imperative the House pass the following bills: Child Nutrition Reauthorization, an uncoupling of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, unemployment insurance, and appropriations. 

CHILD NUTRITION REAUTHORIZATION:       

In August, the Senate passed the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act, and now it is up to the House to get it passed. The importance of access to healthy food for children goes beyond just their physical health and diet. Better nutrition also ensures children will more fully reach their intellectual and developmental potential. Passing this bill will foster the growth of the next generation of leaders. Without your help millions of children will go hungry or not receive the adequate nutrition they need to grow up and fully reach their capabilities. While the bill is not perfect, we urge you to as Speaker Pelosi to bring it to the floor and then vote in favor of it. We will continue to push, in the 112th Congress, for re-instatement of the SNAP future funding increase, and for broader inclusion of eligible children. But for now we need S 3307.   

TAXES:          

We believe uncoupling the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts that are set to expire soon is the most effective way to tackle the issue. By separating the tax cuts for the middle class, as well as the EITC and Child Tax Credit, from those for the upper class you can make one set permanent while letting the other ones expire. At NETWORK, we support making the middle class tax cuts, including refundable taxes like the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, permanent. We also support not extending the excessive tax benefit that was given over the last ten years to individuals and families earning over $200,000 or $250,000, respectively. Not continuing these benefits is not adding a new tax; rather returning to previous levels of taxation.       

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE:

Unemployment insurance needs to be extended.  With all this talk of upper class and middle class it is critical that we not forget the poor, a group that is rarely mentioned yet represents a growing number of Americans. The Census Bureau reported the 2009 poverty rate is 14.3%, the highest it has been since 1994. Certainly there is a connection between the high rate of poverty and the high unemployment. Despite the growth in the economy there are still millions of unemployed Americans who have no means to afford the basic necessities to take care of themselves and their families. The extension of unemployment insurance would provide an important safety net to those who are struggling economically until they are able to find a job or improve their financial situation.              

Finally, it is important that the 2011 appropriations bill is moved forward. We strongly support maintaining funding at least at the 2010 level, especially for programs related to domestic human needs.           

Once again, we would like to thank you for all you have done during the 111th Congress, and we look forward to working with you to take these last important steps before moving into the 112th Congress. 

Sincerely, Marge Clark, BVM, for NETWORK A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby