Today, we present our ELCA Advocacy Update for the month of February. Please read below for important information on ELCA Advocacy efforts in Washington, across the country and throughout the world. To read the full version of the update and for more information on advocacy efforts from our Lutheran State Advocacy offices, visit our blog!

Advocacy Update - February 2017

ELCA Advocacy, Washington D.C.

MIGRATION POLICY: President Donald Trump signed several executive actions on immigration enforcement and refugee policy restrictions last week, in a move that received critical backlash from the faith community. In addition to highly publicized orders to begin construction of a wall along the border with Mexico and ending federal grants to so-called ‘sanctuary cities,’ the Executive Order also calls for an increase of the detention of migrants and implements measures that cripple the asylum system. Subsequent executive actions included halting migration from seven predominantly Muslim countries and pausing the refugee resettlement program for 120 days.

ELCA Advocacy sent an action alert Thursday, January 26th encouraging our network to contact their Members of Congress to support compassionate policies that provide safety for vulnerable people. Congress will be able to impact the outcomes of the Executive Orders by allocating or restricting funds to agencies that will implement them. Our faith partner, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and Presiding Bishop Eaton likewise shared statements voicing concern on weakening refugee protection policies. With details and the future of refugee resettlement and protections still unclear, ELCA Advocacy will continue to monitor and share details on the evolving situation. More executive actions impacting migrants are expected in the coming weeks. 

PRESIDENT ACTION ON HEALTHCARE: At the start of the 115^th Congress, lawmakers formally adopted a budget resolution, completing the first procedural step toward repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Legislators did so without offering a plan for a replacement, an action that could possibly leave millions of Americans without health insurance and significantly raise taxes on middle and low income families. Prior to the passage of the Budget Resolution, ELCA Advocacy sent out an action alert urging Congress to not repeal the 2010 healthcare law without first implementing a replacement that actively promotes the wellbeing of those experiencing poverty or illness in the U.S.  

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SUPPORTS THE GREEN CLIMATE FUND: On Jan. 18^th, just prior to the start of the Trump Administration, the U.S. State Department announced that it had provided an additional $500 million grant to support the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The Green Climate Fund is dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable around the world from the impacts of climate change. This latest decision came after thousands of Lutherans and other faith advocates voiced their support for the investment last year. As an ELCA Advocacy issue priority for 2015 and 2016, we celebrate the additional funding that the U.S. will contribute to the GCF, as it builds solidarity in our shared responsibility to care for creation. 

2017 ELCA Advocacy priorities

This year, ELCA Advocacy will work to…

• Protect God's creation from the impacts of climate change;
• Maintain and expand federal programs that provide food assistance to children and families in need throughout the U.S.;
• Act to ensure all people have access to affordable, accessible and quality healthcare;
• Increase support for federal programs that seek to end homelessness;
• Ensure the U.S. government continues to fund humanitarian relief and development programs that address extreme hunger and poverty across the globe;
• Prevent gender-based violence in the U.S. and around the world;
• Address unjust systems of mass incarceration as part of our commitment to challenge systems of racial and economic injustice.
• Call for a peaceful and lasting negotiated resolution to the Palestinian Israeli conflict.

This year’s goals are evaluated for their potential to further racial and gender justice, fulfill our Lutheran social statements and messages, and address key policy concerns of ministries across the U.S. Learn more about the top 2017 Advocacy Goals and priorities at the ELCA Advocacy Blog.

Lutheran Office for World Community

SECRETARY GENERAL FIRST ADDRESS: On Jan. 10, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, delivered his first address to the Security Council. In an open debate organized by Sweden, which currently holds the Security Council’s presidency, he outlined his partnership priority with the Security Council, emphasizing the need for increased conflict-prevention measures. Guterres highlighted the need for an integrated approach toward conflict prevention and lasting peace, emphasizing his desire to integrate differing U.N. pillars toward this goal. 

COMBATING MUSLIM DISCRIMINATION: The Permanent Missions of Canada, the United States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the delegation of the European Union sponsored a forum on combatting anti-Muslim discrimination and hatred. The forum highlighted the growing challenges of anti-Muslim discrimination and hatred in various regional and national contexts. The event cited examples of local collaboration in Dallas and Tennessee, as well as coordinated advocacy following attacks on mosques. Noteworthy was the panel on positive narratives to promote pluralism and inclusion. 

PACIFISM  AND WEST AFRICAN ISLAM: The Council on Foreign Relations hosted an interactive dialogue with Dr. Lamin Sanneh, discussing his new book, “Beyond Jihad: The Pacifist Tradition in West African Islam.” Professor Sanneh began by commenting that Africans converted to Islam peacefully. Much of his analysis drew from the American experience, comparing the role of religion as a catalyst for civil society – an important actor in nurturing and bolstering civil society. He argued that there is a peaceful impulse of Islam, often corrupted when mixed with politics.

THE THIRD-ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM: THE ROLE OF RELIGION AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS: 

On  Jan. 23, the World Council of Churches, the United Methodist Church and the Seventh-day Adventist Church organized the Third-Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-Based Organizations in International Affairs, in partnership with the U. N. Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, the U. N. Inter-Agency Task Force for Engagement with Faith-based Organizations and the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations. The symposium addressed cooperation among faith-based organizations, member states, civil society and international and regional organizations, including the United Nations, in fostering just, inclusive and sustainable peace.

Lutheran state advocacy efforts across the country

In this February Advocacy Update, we are adding a special focus on the  advocacy priorities of our state public policy networks. Find out all about the vast and incredibly important work and top priorities of Lutheran state advocacy networks across the country by visiting the ELCA Advocacy Blog.

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