Salt of the Earth: In session March 2000

In session: legislative update
March 2000

Attack of the Catholic lobbyists!
Congress had the unique experience last month of hearing from a group of lobbyists who were not interested in winning a federal subsidy, weakening gun laws, or creative new strategies for protecting corporate welfare. These lobbyists didn't come bearing gifts and Armani suits. They swarmed over congressional lobbies to promote legislation on behalf of the voiceless and vulnerable.

The annual U.S. Catholic Conference Social Ministry Gathering on February 26 through March 1 in the nation's capital provided a unique opportunity to organize strike teams of skilled lobbyists from across the country. These diocesan, parish, and service agency leaders descended upon their unsuspecting congressional representatives with a detailed agenda of USCC legislative objectives for the coming year.

They include:

Pushing through a meaningful increase in the U.S. minimum wage

Improving the reach and efficacy of the Food Stamp Program, WIC, and other food programs (Hunger Relief Act)

Changing the Earned Income Tax Credit program to better help working poor families

Alleviating debt in the developing world

Ending the economic embargo of Cuba

To learn more about these legislative agenda items and other legislation of interest to the USCC, visit the advocacy page of the USCC's Office of Social Development and World Peace.

More resources:
Learn about "Faithful Citizenship."
Legislative Hot News from Network
Summary of new international debt legislation (from the USCC)

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	Pushing through a meaningful increase in the U.S. minimum wage
	Improving the reach and efficacy of the Food Stamp Program, WIC, and other food programs (Hunger Relief Act)
	Changing the Earned Income Tax Credit program to better help working poor families
	Alleviating debt in the developing world
	Ending the economic embargo of Cuba