Network legislative alerts-(from Network

In session
April 2005

Network legislative alerts
(from Network—A Catholic lobby)

1. Stop cuts to vital programs for our most vulnerable
Urge your members of Congress to vote for a fair budget with no cuts in entitlement programs or to other vital public services. A fairer way to cut the deficit is to repeal the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts.

Click here for a sample letter and enter your ZIP Code in the “Take Action Now” box.

Both chambers passed budget resolutions that make deep cuts in services for vulnerable people in programs such as Medicaid, food stamps, child care, and Head Start. A House/Senate conference committee is now working to iron out differences in their respective versions of the budget resolution.

Unless Congress makes significant changes, there will be more tax cuts for the wealthy paid for by cuts in services for our children, the elderly, immigrants and people with disabilities. States will face more cutbacks to programs. Half the discretionary budget will go to the Pentagon. The deficit will increase even more.

These are the wrong priorities. Concerned citizens need to make it unacceptable for Congress to vote for these measures. The federal budget—which is a moral statement of the nation’s priorities—must be fair and balanced.

For more background information, go to Network's budget resolutions chart.

See how the budget affects your state.

2. Put conditions on the money – we need a plan for U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq
Contact your Senators and urge them to debate the issues around U.S. policy and presence in Iraq during their debate on the supplemental spending bill. Ask them to put forward a clear statement of U.S. policy for Iraq as they approve the supplemental request for more funding. Call for:

• A specific and comprehensive plan for responsible withdrawal from Iraq.

• An end to the occupation by decreasing U.S. troops and ending offensive military operations.

• A statement that there is no intention by the U.S. to maintain long-term or permanent military bases in Iraq.

• Authority and control of reconstruction funds given over to Iraqis for local job creation.

• Work with the international community to ensure the on-going security and stabilization of Iraq.

Click here for a sample letter and enter your ZIP Code in the “Take Action Now” box.

The Senate is expected to debate the President’s $81 billion supplemental request that includes Iraq war funding next week. The debate in Congress needs to be shifted. The focus on troop strengths, more weapons, and fighting against insurgents has to change to a discussion and plan of how to return sovereignty to the Iraqi people and withdraw U.S. troops and bases. Policy that states the specific goals and plans for achieving them is needed in order to move forward. The House passed its bill on March 16.

3. REAL ID Act of 2005 still alive
The REAL ID Act of 2005 (H.R. 418) could still come to the Senate floor. Please contact your Senators asking that they oppose such a bill. Click here for a sample letter and enter your ZIP Code in the “Take Action Now” box.

H.R. 418, which was first introduced on January 26 by Representative James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI), was attached to an Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill for the Iraqi war and tsunami relief. Due in part to your lobbying efforts, the bill was not included in the Senate version of the supplemental Appropriations bill.

If passed, H.R. 418 would:

• deny undocumented immigrants from obtaining driver’s license in this country;

• demand documentation to prove the legitimacy of refugees seeking asylum; and

• authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive all federal, state and local laws if the Secretary deems necessary to expedite construction of security fences and barriers along US-Mexico and US-Canada borders.

NETWORK strongly opposes H.R. 418; it sees it primarily punitive in nature against immigrants.

Background information.

4. Urging free and fair trade
It is important to see the proposed Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) between the United States and Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic as more than just one trade agreement. Through its action on CAFTA, this Congress will determine whether this Administration will define “free trade” as “fair trade/just trade,” mutually beneficial to our trading partners as well as to the United States.

Click here to send a CAFTA letter to Congress and
enter your ZIP Code in the “Take Action Now” box.

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