FEMA Funding Crunch As August comes to a close, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) finds itself confronting a dire situation. The agency, responsible for responding to natural disasters in the United States, is on the verge of running out of critical funding – with the strain of coping with an overwhelming series of hurricanes, wildfires and floods pushing resources to the brink. More >>
Policy NOTES
Clean Energy Tax Credits for Churches In a July meeting with religious leaders, the Department of Energy announced that billions of dollars in tax credits and grants are available from the U.S. government for churches and other nonprofits to help them become more energy efficient.
Recent Farm Bill Activity ELCA advocacy has focused Farm Bill efforts on the Pennsylvania delegation, leveraging ELCA presence in the Commonwealth to bring priorities to key decision-makers. All seven Pennsylvania ELCA bishops signed on to a letter to the chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture.
Afghan Adjustment Act *revised* The Afghan Adjustment Act (S. 2327/H.R.4627) was reintroduced on July 14. With bipartisan support, it now has even more momentum than when first introduced thanks in part to everyone’s advocacy. The bill supports the ability of Afghans benefitting from temporary humanitarian status to apply for lawful permanent residency and builds on efforts to help other at-risk Afghans.
House Appropriations Proposes International Cuts The House and Senate Committees on Appropriations recently released their FY24 budgets for international programs. The House bill cuts topline funding by 12% in contrast to FY23. The Senate funding bill looks much better overall.
*new* TRUTH & HEALING COMMISSION ON INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOL POLICIES NEEDED NOW While active in the Senate, the House must be urged to move forward a bill toward passage.
Webinar: Two Years Later - Fulfilling Our Promise to Afghan Allies and Neighbors
In this ELCA co-hosted online event, learn about the current status of Afghan resettlement and the situation of those who were left behind, and how people of faith can continue to support Afghans and advocate for policy to help them.
Town Halls and in-district meetings can create windows to connect locally with federal elected officials this month. Suggestions from our ELCA policy staff about issues presently on the horizon, including question prompts, can prepare you - along with other guidance about making local connections.
60th Anniversary of March on Washington Minneapolis Area Synod singers locally and North Carolina Synod marchers in D.C. are among those marking the occasion. In 1963, in the wake of violent attacks on civil rights demonstrators in Birmingham, Alabama, momentum built for mass protest on the nation’s capital. Learn about how you can take part in this year’s D.C. march on Sat. Aug. 26 - “Not A Commemoration, It’s A Continuation! We March On!”
Season of Creation Season of Creation is an annual global movement of Christian communities praying and acting to care for God's creation. Participation in an Opening Prayer Service on Sept. 1 (9 a.m. ET) is available online.
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FEMA Funding Crunch
