October 2017

As Catholics, we are called to advocate for justice. Addressing the issues that affect our moral visions, in light of Catholic teaching, is our cherished responsibility. You can make your voice heard by writing or emailing your legislators about issues that uphold injustices, favoring those who have instead of those who are most in need. Below are two current issues that need immediate attention. 
 
1. S.1615, H.R.3440 - Dream Act of 2017  

This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to cancel removal and grant lawful permanent resident status on a conditional basis to an alien who is inadmissible or deportable or is in temporary protected status who: (1) has been continuously physically present in the United States for four years preceding this bill's enactment; (2) was younger than 18 years of age on the initial date of U.S. entry; (3) is not inadmissible on criminal, security, terrorism, or other grounds; (4) has not participated in persecution; (5) has not been convicted of specified federal or state offenses; and (6) has fulfilled specified educational requirements.
Write to Suzanne Bonamici thanking her for co-sponsoring and asking her to continue working to pass the legislation. Write to Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden encouraging co-sponsorship and continued efforts to pass the legislation.  Bring your letters to the Information desk at Holy Trinity and we will deliver them to our legislators.
 
2. House Budget Update

The 2018 House Republican budget plan would severely and disproportionately affect low- and moderate-income families and individuals.  If the framework it sets out were to become law, programs serving low- and moderate-income people would be cut by approximately $2.9 trillion from 2018-2027. About half of the low-income cuts would reflect the plan’s incorporation of the House-passed American Health Care Act, which the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates would cause 23 million people to lose health coverage by 2026.  Other cuts would significantly undermine the modest levels of basic food aid now provided to poor and near-poor households, such as SNAP, WIC and school lunch programs.  It would also make it far more difficult for students from low- and moderate-income families to attend college, by reducing federal college aid.  At the same time, the budget paves the way for the enactment of tax cuts that likely would largely benefit the wealthy; for example, the tax cuts in the House GOP’s Better Way proposal from last year would provide tax cuts to millionaires totaling $2.6 trillion over a decade.  The budget also creates a fast-track approach in which cuts to low-income programs could be used to offset such tax cuts.
Write to Senator Jeff Merkley, Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Suzanne Bonamici, expressing your concerns and asking them to work for a more just use of our tax dollars.

Bring your letters to the Information desk and we will hand deliver them to our legislators.