LAWRENCE COUCH

Opposing the White House's recommendations to Congress on addressing fentanyl-related substances as a criminal justice issue instead of a public health issue. Supporting the Healthy Mothers and Infants Act in order to expand the Child Nutrition Act to, and make it more inclusive for individuals impacted by substance abuse disorders. Supporting the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which would make life-saving treatment for people with opioid abuse disorder more accessible to people who need it, helping to close racial inequities and urban-rural divides in treatment access.

Supporting voting rights legislation that responds to voter suppression efforts made against people of color. Support passage of HR 40, which will establish a commission to study proposals for reparations. Support passage of the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Ascertain from Moderna whether it can allocate COVID vaccine doses to low and middle income countries and share vaccine manufacturing technology. Support for S.3064/H.R.5724, a bipartisan bill that would convene a second national White House conference on food, nutrition, hunger, and health. Urging for the inclusion of health provisions in the Build Back Better Act, including: closing the Medicaid coverage gap, allowing Medicare to negotiate for fair drug prices and lower prescription drug costs, reducing premiums, making federal CHIP funding permanents, funding health coverage of people transitioning out of incarceration, and more.

Cancelling up to $50,000 in student debt for borrowers.

Urging the Senate to pass the Build Back Better Act before the end of 2021. Supporting the inclusion of tax provisions on the rich in the Build Back Better Act.

Halting expanded immigration detention, specifically in Pennsylvania, and terminating immigration detention contracts with private prison companies and local governments. Add an amendment to the NDAA that would require the GAO to report to Congress on the humanitarian impacts of US sanctions, the impact on the delivery of humanitarian aid and development projects, and on whether sanctions achieved stated foreign policy goals. Supporting visa-related provisions in the Build Back Better package. Opposing the HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement's proposed regulations on unaccompanied immigrant children in federal custody, regulations that will gut third-party accountability and oversight that protects children in immigration custody. Urging Congress to have DHS investigate ICE's abuse of a full-body restraint device called "The WRAP". Urging for the complete end of Migration Protection Protocols and Title 42, which turns away asylum seekers at the border while they wait for their court date. Ending inhumane immigrant detention by halting immigration detention expansion, terminating current ICE contracts, and implementing just and humane immigration policies. Extending the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness program, which will allow certain Liberians who have been living in the U.S. since November 2014 to adjust their status, get Green Cards, and naturalize as U.S. citizens.

Urging Congress to pass sentencing reform legislation, including S.1014, S.312, and S.601. Opposing a 9/23/21 listening session on the decriminalization of prostitution. Supporting the EQUAL Act in the Senate, which would end the federal sentencing disparity between crack and powdered cocaine established in 1986 when Congress passed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act.

Urging the inclusion of funding for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services in the Build Back Better Act.

Including housing assistance in the Build Back Better Act, including the expansion of housing choice vouchers, rebuilding stock of public housing investments, and addressing long terms needs by increasing supply of affordable housing accessible to low income households.

Supporting HR 3884, the Philippines Human Rights Act, which would suspend US military support of the largest perpetrators of violence in the Philippines - the military and police. Urging Secretary of State Blinken to press Colombian government on human rights issues, specifically police brutality, peace accord implementation, and the situation of human rights defenders. Urge the U.S. Mission at the UN Human Rights Council to end its interference in negotiations for legally binding UN Treaty on Business and Human Rights.

Supporting the passage of the Family Violence Protection and Service Improvement Reauthorization Act of 2021, and the inclusion of the clarification that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity status is sex discrimination and prohibited under law. Clarifying the economic importance of including paid family leave for all in the Build Back Better Act. Supporting the inclusion of Child Care and Universal Pre-Kindergarten in the Build Back Better Act, along with explicit federal non-discrimination language accompanying these provisions.

Supporting the FOREST Act, which will combat illegal deforestation in the supply chain related to agricultural commodities. Opposing Lease Sale 257, which will offer more than 80 million acres of the Gulf of Mexico for sale to oil companies, as well as the federal government's continued reliance on outdated environmental analysis. Pushing for an increase in the amount of international climate finance to $5.8 billion in FY22. Supporting the National Environmental Policy Act, which will expand NEPA protections for people and the environment, particularly in reducing barriers to public input and requiring meaningful assessment of all reasonable alternatives and equitably evaluating impacts - including climate and public health impacts - of proposed major federal actions.

Support H.R.40, which would establish a commission to study the brutality and inhumanity of slavery, its legacy, and its ongoing contemporary impacts, as well as develop proposals for redress and repair. Promote statehood for the District of Columbia.

Increase humanitarian aid to Central America after Hurricanes Eta and Iota. Restore State Department Office of International Religious Freedom.

Consider additional funding for refugee accounts in FY 2021.

Prevent a catastrophic wave of evictions this winter by extending, improving, and enforcing the federal eviction moratorium due to COVID-19. Provide $100 billion in emergency rental assistance in order to prevent a wave of evictions due to COVID-19.

Urge Congress to invest in fair and robust enforcement of tax laws; Enforcement should not disproportionately focus on low-income individuals.

Endorse the plan to end the current COVID-19 pandemic and prevent the pandemics of the future that is being advanced by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Ro Khanna, and Rep. Barbara Lee. The plan would invest in domestic programs to improve health outcomes, support global public health efforts, create public health jobs, and erase systemic racism in our healthcare system. Support the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2020 (H.R.6637), which would take measures to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities. Ensure that any changes made to the 340B Drug Discount Program would not have the effect of limiting access to affordable, clinically appropriate, pharmaceuticals for low-income, uninsured, underinsured, and other vulnerable patients. Pursue common-sense reforms that make health coverage and care affordable for all families in America; Bring down health care costs and transform our health care system by ending health industry abuses and prioritizing high-quality, consumer-centered health care; and, End racial injustice in health and health care. Fund investments in clean energy, healthcare, and peacebuilding by decreasing the Pentagon budget. Prevent a catastrophic wave of evictions this winter by extending, improving, and enforcing the federal eviction moratorium due to COVID-19. Support an issuance of 2 trillion Special Drawing Rights in the International Monetary Fund to strengthen the global response to the pandemic. Pass a COVID-19 relief package that: provides resources for those experiencing homelessness; increases SNAP benefits; includes policies that encourage and support employers to retain and rehire workers; ensures affordable healthcare access; safeguard incarcerated individuals who are most vulnerable to COVID-19; ensures that mixed-status families are eligible for stimulus payments; automatically extends work authorization and visa renewal deadlines for refugees and immigrants who are providing economic and recovery assistance to our country; and provides no-cost COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccination for all. Provide funding for nonprofit organizations in COVID-19 relief package.

Enact effective policies to protect consumers from predatory lenders.

Advocate for fair and equitable access to communications by incarcerated people, whether they have communication disabilities or are detained because of their immigration status. End the use of solitary confinement in prisons.

Pass a comprehensive COVID-19 relief package that includes assistance for immigrant families. Enact a moratorium on all deportations to Cameroon and review all cases of Cameroonians in ICE custody. Promote the Adoptee Citizenship Act (H.R.2731). The Act would close the loophole in the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 that left the adopted children of thousands of Americans without citizenship. Call on new presidential administration to enact humane and equitable reforms to our immigration policies, such as border security, detention policy, refugee resettlement, and public benefits. Prioritize the needs of immigrant children in early actions of new presidential administration. Urge incoming administration to take immediate action to reunite the over 500 migrant children with their families who were separated at our border. Protect Liberian immigrants by reopening the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness program. Cease imminent deportations of asylum seekers to Cameroon, a country which the US has recently condemned for extrajudicial killings and other human rights abuses. Cut funding to agencies that increase family separation. Invest in a compassionate, just, and humane immigration and refugee resettlement system that supports refugees, asylees, asylum-seekers, and other forcibly displaced populations in Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21). Oppose federal funding that drives unjust immigration enforcement, detention, and border militarization policies. Support the Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act of 2019 (H.R.8772 and S.2174), which would authorize funding for identifying and transporting the remains of people who died attempting to cross the southern border. Address the root causes of poverty, violence, and corruption which compel people to leave their homes in Mexico and Central America. Provide meaningful language access in the debt collection process for people with Limited English Proficiency. Consider additional funding for refugee accounts in FY 2021. Extend TPS for Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala due to the recent devastation of Hurricanes Eta and Iota. Urge the incoming presidential administration to end the Muslim Ban, the African Ban, The Asylum Ban, the Refugee Bans, and the Health Care Proclamation, and to increase the refugees admission goal. Ensure immigrants' equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine. Establish a White House Task Force on Black immigrants. Prevent the diversion of funds to the construction of a wall along the southern border. Affirm the importance of safe sanctuary for those fleeing persecution.

Fund investments in clean energy, healthcare, and peacebuilding by decreasing the Pentagon budget.

Prioritize the For the People Act (H.R.1) in the 117th Congress to ensure a well-functioning democracy by addressing voter access, election integrity, election security, political spending, and ethics for the three branches of government. Restore the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Extend the deadlines for 2020 Census processing and reporting to ensure adequate and accurate apportionment of representatives and federal funding for social services.

National moratorium on electricity, water, and broadband shut-offs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Financial assistance and loans for non-profits during COVID-19. Improvements to Paycheck Protection Plan. Provide full unemployment benefits and funding for community support grants. Strengthen charitable giving incentive.

Include immigrant families in COVID-19 relief. Protect current Sudanese Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders and extend their status for 18 months. Extend protection to Sudanese people who recently arrived and are fleeing famine and war. Support a 2021 Action Plan on immigration that centers on human dignity, family unity, community well-being, and American prosperity. Pass COVID-19 relief that includes children in mixed-status immigrant families. Oppose any funding mechanisms that would increase funding for U.S. Customs and Border Protection or Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Fiscal Year 2021. Demand freedom for Binsar Siahaan, who was arrested on church property. Demand protection of sensitive locations that are meant to be off-limits to ICE enforcement, such as houses of worship, hospitals, and schools. Support the Improving Opportunities for New Americans Act of 2020, which would direct the US Department of Labor to study the factors that lead to the underemployment and unemployment of immigrants and refugees who hold professional credentials earned outside the US.

Oppose corporate immunity from worker lawsuits regarding COVID-19 exposure. Review enforcement of equal pay laws to ensure that women and people of color are paid fairly for their work. Support the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H.R.2694), which would ensure that pregnant workers can continue safely working to support their families during their pregnancy by requiring employers to provide reasonable, temporary accommodations.

Urge former Vice President Biden to ban all fossil fuel executives, lobbyists, and representatives from any advisory or official position on his campaign, transition team, cabinet, and administration. Opposing nuclear weapons and appealing for the ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Urge former Vice President Biden to ban all fossil fuel executives, lobbyists, and representatives from any advisory or official position on his campaign, transition team, cabinet, and administration.

Addressing barriers to COVID-19 communications that primarily affect people with disabilities and limited English proficient populations. Reduce federal prison population to address the spread of COVID-19 in prisons. Oppose corporate immunity from worker lawsuits regarding COVID-19 exposure. Statement in response to the death of James Hill, who died of COVID-19 in ICE custody this year. Support the Coronavirus Language Access Act, which would address the exclusion of people who are limited English proficient (LEP) from the COVID-19 response. The act would require translation of COVID-19 public health statements into at least 19 languages and provide resources for states and localities to provide language services on the ground. Letter with recommendations that state officials can pursue to ensure rare and chronic disease patients can safely vote in the 2020 elections.

Allocate greater funding for housing and homeless assistance and extend the moratorium on evictions in COVID-19 relief package. Support the Homes for All Act, which would dramatically expand the public housing stock in the US and guarantee housing as a human right.

Provide $3.6 billion in emergency election funding and $400 million for supplemental Census decennial operations in the next COVID-19 response package. Calling for a strong commitment to a conflict-of-interest free leadership as it relates to the transition team and potential administration. Extend the statutory deadlines for census activities, which have been disrupted due the COVID-19. Support the 2020 Census Deadline Extensions Act, which would extend the statutory deadlines for apportionment and redistricting. Letter with recommendations that state officials can pursue to ensure rare and chronic disease patients can safely vote in the 2020 elections.

Oppose the creation of ICE's Citizens' Academy, which would train civilians in defense tactics, firearms familiarization, and targeted arrests. Opposing the death penalty: calling for the immediate end to executions, for legislative action to ban the death penalty, and for court injunctions recognizing that the death penalty is unconstitutional and cruel. Statement in response to the death of James Hill and 16 others who died in ICE custody this year. Letter to Attorney General Barr, who reinstated the use of the death penalty, to ask him not to accept an award at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast.

Seeking emergency broadband benefits for low-income people as part of the Covid-19 relief package.

Establish a $10 billion COVID-19 Emergency Grant Program for low income families to access basic necessities. Extend the Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option to feed children throughout the upcoming school year. Pass COVID-19 relief package that addresses public health, food, housing, and workplace safety concerns. Provides state and local aid, including funding for education. Suspend SNAP work requirements for students enrolled in secondary education Provide needed assistance to struggling military families by prioritizing the Military Family Basic Needs Allowance in the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. Extend critical nationwide child nutrition program waivers through the coming school year. Extend and improve the operations of the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program, which provides nutritional resources to families who have lost access to free or reduced price school meals due to COVID-19 school closures. Pass a federal COVID-19 relief package that provides acute financial assistance to families who did not receive stimulus payments in the CARES Act. Expand eligibility for assistance to immigrant families with a US citizen parent, and all US citizen children, including those whose parents file taxes using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Ensure that food, farming, and seafood system workers, including tribal, rural, and immigrant communities of color are protected and included in the next COVID-19 stimulus package. Pass COVID-19 relief that includes children in mixed-status immigrant families. Pass robust COVID-19 relief before recessing for the elections. Extend key child nutrition waivers through June 30, 2021. Call to prioritize military families experiencing food insecurity in the final Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Amend the Social Security Act to provide for a Family Crisis Cash Assistance Program, which would provide monthly cash assistance for families at or below 200% of the federal poverty line after any natural or economic disaster. National moratorium on electricity, water, and broadband shut-offs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Provide $12 billion in foreign aid to help those in other countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Request that the Democratic Caucus elect a House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair who will advance values of restraint and progressive realism in US foreign policy. This includes opposing militarization and surveillance at home, scrutinizing non-electoral transfers of power, opposing broad sanctions that harm individuals, ending "endless" wars, upholding human rights, ending the arms sales rubber stamp, adequately funding the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration and the Office of Refugees. Opposing nuclear weapons and appealing for the ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Support for Nancy Pelosi's endorsement of the Garcia amendment, which directs the US to support the International Monetary Fund's issuance of 2 trillion special drawing rights and to support debt relief to help countries around the globe recover from COVID-19. Provide financial relief to African countries due to COVID-19 by supporting the issuance of Special Drawing Rights at the International Monetary Fund and debt cancelation for countries struggling to respond to the pandemic. Support for the United Kingdom's peacemaking activities in many countries. Support for the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, which requires the US government to provide reports on the impact of comprehensive sanctions on civilian populations as well as their effectiveness in achieving foreign policy goals. Support the Global Financial Institution Pandemic Response Act (S.4139), which would ensure US support for issuance of Special Drawing Rights by the International Monetary Fund. Also support for a funding package that includes $20 billion for foreign aid and support for IMF expanding debt relief. Call for international trade policies that center on the human dignity of every person, which special attention to the threat that COVID-19 has presented to workers' rights in Mexico.

91 of the most profitable companies in the United States did not pay any taxes last year. Our letter urged Congress to Support Public Country-by-Country Tax reporting. Shining a light on offshore corporate tax practices will act as a major deterrent against the billions of dollars in corporate tax avoidance each year.

Urged the guarantee the rights and safety defenders social leaders in the Bajo Aguan in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is state of health emergency. Called for just environmentally sustainable response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Urged increase in Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. Supported disaster aid legislation to meet the needs of impacted communities across the United States and to make public the data to ensure that the recovery reaches all households. Sought strong funding for vital services including child care, Head Start, home heating assistance, job training and education, nutrition for seniors, substance use and mental health services, public health protections, and community actions' anti-poverty programs. Ensure that health care is available regardless of a person's immigration status, income or categorical eligibility. Ensure access to the stimulus rebates for everyone who files income tax returns. Assure access to nutrition assistance. Ensure adequate funding for Community Health Centers.Request at least $50 billion in funding for child care. Supported immediate adjustments to the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for successful transition to adulthood. Life the 30% cap on room and board in Chafee; extend Chafee eligibility to age 23 nationwide; include and pass the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunity Act; and provide emergency supplemental funding for Chafee for six months. Urged the Secretary of HHS to fix issues with Medicare and marketplace enrollment that are currently acting as barriers for older adults and people with disabilities to access health care coverage. Support automatic stimulus payments for people on SSI and certain VA benefits. Request to create a Nonprofit Track to ensure that charitable nonprofits are supported in their services on the frontline of responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Request an increase to the Social Services Block Grant funding by $4.1 billion to respond to the growing needs of older people. Also, requested that no less than a 5 percent set-aside for Tribes which does not exist in the current Title XX statute. Urged credit and debt protection to address financial distress from Covid-19. Impose a moratorium on all foreclosures and evictions for the duration of the pandemic; stopping termination of utility services; halting all debt collection activity; preventing predatory lending; preventing the accrual and additional fees and interest; requiring payment forbearance and flexible repayment option, prohibiting negative credit reporting. Cancelling student loan debt. Supported legislative proposal to 1) Immediately appropriate $4 billion (and authorize appropriations of $8.8 billion) to guarantee a $50 emergency broadband benefit ($75 in tribal areas) to every eligible low-income household in the country that makes a request to their Internet Service Provider (ISP), and, offer a one-time discount for ISP-provided devices. Improve the existing Federal Communication Commission low-income Lifeline program to ofer unlimited voice minutes and texting. Supported the Child Care Is Essential Act to create a $50 billion childcare stabilization fund that would support childcare providers who experience a drop in revenue or have added expenses during or after the pandemic. We also supported the Heroes Act although it only provides $7 billion for childcare, far short of the $50 billion needed to stabilize this critical industry. Requested funding of $300 million in grants for allied health programs and $10 million for outreach to encourage carers in nutrition and dietetics.

Urged Congress to: Ensure access to affordable health insurance coverage for all; provide states, localities, and tribes with the financial resources they need to respond effectively; protect the health and safety of the healthcare workforce; and protect all patients' access to care and prohibit price gouging of healthcare services. We encourages protecting the livelihood of the most vulnerable working people in our nation; and stimulating the economy and investing in our nation. Urged the extension of all child nutrition waivers until September 30, 2020. Supported the Medicare Crisis Program which would: enroll in Medicare any uninsured person and the household of a person who is found eligible for unemployment insurance due to COVID-19, throughout the duration of this pandemic, and establish a COVID-19 National Clearing House to purchase necessary medical and personal protective equipment. Requested additional funding for Medicaid to protect and expand coverage for all enrollees. Open a special enrollment period for health insurance. Direct OSHA to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard to protect front line healthcare workers. Increase funding and access for mental health services. Advocated for a 15 percent increase in the SNAP maximum benefit. Also, an increase in the SNAP minimum monthly benefit fro $16 to $30. Lastly, a suspension of SNAP time limits and rules changes that would cut SNAP's eligibility and benefits. Supported the Affordable COVID-19 Drug Pricing Act that would require non exclusive licensing of federally owned COVID-19 treatment. Supported the Taxpayer Research and Coronavirus Knowledge (TRACK) Act that would require the federal government to create a single public data base of federal biomedical investment information for COVID-19. This information would help Congress and the public to hold the administration and pharmaceutical corporations accountable. Supported COVID-19 Testing for necessary testing and contact tracing in our most vulnerable communities.

Opposed the HHS decision to exempt federally funded foster care and adoption agencies in South Carolina from the religious non-discrimination protections. Paradoxically, the exemption uses the concept of religious freedom as a justification for taxpayer funded religious discrimination.

Urge DOL to issue new guidance and FAQs that address the standards that apply under the federal Unemployment Insurance law to determine when workers remain eligible for regular state unemployment insurance if they leave work or refuse to work due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns.

Since the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFBP)is continuing to favor the financial industry over working people in these very difficult times, we called on CFBP to stop all rule making and regulatory activity unrelated to COVID-19 and to focus on protecting consumers instead.

Provide $4 billion to support remaining primary elections, urged support of the USPS as necessary infrastructure for vote by mail. Asked the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commision to: ensure a moratorium on right to sue notices that would require a lawsuit to be filed after 2-29-20.

Requested sufficient funding for the U. S. Postal Services.

Supported an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for 2021 that would reallocate 10 percent of the Pentagon budget toward several underfunded human needs priorities. Supported the ending of the DEpartment of Defense 1033 Program and associated transfers of all military equipment and vehicles to local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Pass the American Dream and Promise Act for persons brought to this country illegally as minors. Urged the reinstatement of DACA. Opposed closing the border using COVID-19 as an excuse. Supported celebration of World Refugee Day. Opposed order that would indefinitely eliminate protections for unaccompanied children and refugees at the border. Supported the Federal Immigrant Release for Safety and Security Together Act (FIRST ACT). The act provides urgent and critical restrictions on immigration detention and enforcement. We urged the halt of women, men, children, and families. Release all detained children and families. Released detained immigrant adults. Suspend the public charge rule. Ensure free access to medical tests and health care. Stop all ICE and Customs Border Protection enforcement activities. End the suspension of entry to asylum seekers. Provide $642 million in Refugee and Entrant Assistance funds for the Office of Refugee Resettlement. Restore asylum protections at the border for domestic violence survivors and all other refugees. Expand recovery rebates to mixed status and other households left out by the CARES Act. Opposed the new proposed regulations aimed to overturn U.S. asylum law, making it effectively impossible for people fleeing persecution to obtain protection in the United States. Requested additional public comment time (from 30 to 60 days) for Executive Order 122866 which concerns the procedures for asylum and withholding of removal and threshold determinations for credible fear and reasonable fear reviews.

Supported the Brooker/Jeffries emergency community supervision of 2020 which seeks home confinement for those vulnerable and detained in the bureau of prisons. Request prison phone companies offer free phone and videos calls with no fees to incarcerated and detained individuals immediately for the next 60 days. End the military equipment transfers to police. Opposed measures against the International Criminal Court. Supported the justice in policing act. Opposed excessive force and racial profiling by the police. Signed on to letter to Congress calling to end the injustices and lists processes and regulations that could be used. Supported the Second Look Act to offer the opportunity at a shorter sentence via judicial review and supported amending the FIRST STEP Act to eliminate the exclusions for earned time credits and from programming participation. Supported Opposition to Proceed on the Justice Act as the Justice Act is an inadequate response to systemic racism within the policing and judicial system. Supported letter to Congress asking for constraint on excessive force and on the profiling by race. Letter to Congress after the murder of George Floyd on the need for profound reform. Letter to Attorney General asking for policy reforms as well as justice in recent cases, including the Breanna Taylor police killing. Supported PROTECT (Police Receiving Overly Traumatizing Equipment Changes Today that provides incentives to state and local police to give back their equipment. Supported the END MILITARY EQUIPMENT TRANSFERS TO POLICE ACT to restrict the most militaristic weapons from being transferred to or purchased by law enforcement without prohibiting other equipment that may be needed.

Urged the guarantee the rights and safety defenders social leaders in the Bajo Aguan in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is state of health emergency. Called for just environmentally sustainable response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Expressed concern about four of the Administration's recent regulatory changes that increase child poverty. Urged legislation to help more families facing corona-related job losses and support workers who need to balance caregiving responsibilities related to coronavirus. Urged legislation to prioritize the needs of low-income people. Opposed the proposal that would deny critical sustaining loans to non-profits Supported COVID 19 funding requests to include nonprofit organizations. Urged Congress to swiftly act to meet the needs of children and families in and at risk of entering the child welfare system in the net COVID 19 relief package. Opposed tax cuts to the wealthy and corporations or enacting a payroll tax cut as a way to respond to the novel coronavirus emergency. WE proposed immediate substantial cash payments to all house holds and increased federal support for the states. Urged Congress to appropriate at least $2 billion and adopt a number of key policy measures in the economic stimulus package that would ensure both the public's safety and an inclusive and fair voting process. Supported the SENATE CARES ACT / Lankford Amendment to create for one year all taxpayers taking the standard deduction could claim $4,000 per person and $8,000 per couple.

Supported H.R. 1232, the Rescinding DHS' Waiver Authority for Border Wall Act; supported H.R. 1233, the Borderlands Taking Defense Fund Act; and H.R. 1234, the Preventing the Taking of Americans' Land to Build Trump's Wall Act. These three bills would restore the rule of law and mitigate the profound harms of border walls construction. Letter to State Department opposing rule targeting pregnant people of color , giving consular officers discretion to reject tourist (B visa) applications for people they believe who are traveling to the United States and its territories to give birth. In terms of the third supplemental funding, immigrant communities are left out. We supported: Eliminate Immigrant Restrictions on the new Medicaid State Option for COVID testing; Oppose all DHS funds for ICE and CBP; and Restrict transfer and reprogramming of funds for immigration enforcement. Urged the Department of State and Homeland Security to ensure that refugees and immigrants traveling to the United States are not unjustly impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic. Many would be travelers to the United States have spent years seeking status for employment, family or humanitarian based reasons. Many will be unable to travel during the validity period of their travel documents to submit applications or attend interviews. The letter asks the Department of State and Homeland Security to extend deadlines and exercise positive discretion whenever possible. The letter also urges the Departments to resume refugee admissions as soon as it can be safely done and to take steps to ensure that the FY2020 refugee admission goals will be met. Letter to Attorney General to close all immigration courts during the COVID 19 pandemic. DOJ is failing its obligation to ensure a safe and healthy environment within our nation's immigration courts. Asked HHS to rescind the regulation excluding DACA recipients from benefits under the ACA.

We supported restoring the Federal Election Commission's quorum in advance of the 2020 election by confirming one or two appropriate Commissioners identified through the existing process. However, for the remaining vacancies, a nonpartisan blue-ribbon panel should be established to identify qualified candidates for the President's potential nomination, and the Senate should decline to confirm any nominee who is not drawn from the panel's recommendations. Called on the U.S. Senate to advance the For the People Act (H.R.1). The Act would provide a set of transformational, comprehensive democracy reforms to protect and expand the people's right to vote, take power away from big money and lobbyists, and restore ethics and accountability.

Opposed the Administration's new Medicaid block grant guidance as it allows states to apply for a waiver to set caps in their Medicaid program. Supported full funding of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Supported funding for Medicaid and State fiscal relief. $150 billion in direct aid to states for purposes of fiscal relief and at least a 12% increase in federal Medicaid matching funds. Expressed concern regarding Gilead's "orphan drug" designation for COVID-19 drug as it gives the company exclusive rights to the drug and the ability to price it at whatever price it sees fit. Supported the COVID 19 Health Care Workers Protection Act of 2020 that would protect the safety of health care workers caring for patients with coronavirus.

Statement condemning the United States' dangerous aggression toward Iran, including the assassination of Gen. Qassem Soleimani and the deployment of additional troops to the region. Affirmed support for the International Criminal Court in response to efforts by some US officials to denigrate and delegitimatize the court.

Urged Congress to support the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act (H.R. 1185/ S. 463). The FAMILY Act would create a national family and medical leave insurance program to help ensure that people who work can take the time they need to address serious health and caregiving needs. Opposed the SAFE SEX Workers Study Act mandating the Department of Health and Human Services study of the effects of the 2018 law Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act - Stop Enabling Traffickers Act (FOSTA- SESTA) on individuals who engage in "consensual transactional sex." The bill exhibits a misunderstanding of federal and state laws. Supported Emergency Diaper Funding

Supported the Eviction Crisis Act to provide an Emergency Assistance Fund. Supporte "Housing First" and opposed the criminalization of homelessness. Supported the expansion of housing vouchers, the national Housing Trust Fund, and public housing.

Opposed the Drug Enforcement Agency consideration to criminalize more black and brown people through federal fentanyl laws. Federal fentanyl laws are more likely to be used on individuals at the lowest levels of drug distribution chains who are often not even aware that the drugs they are selling contain fentanyl. Request to release from prison as many people as possible applying the Justice Collaborative's Decarceral Guidelines in light of the COVID 19 pandemic. This includes the immediate release of elderly and medically vulnerable people; early release of anyone within 18 months of their release date; and the lifting of any ban to access social services and housing for people who will be, and who have already been, released.

Opposed HUD disparate impact ruling that would perpetuate housing and lending discrimination.

Supported the Lead-Free Future Act of 2019 to set standards and increase investments to support lead remediation in housing, drinking water, and the soil.

Supported the PRO Act which would help restore workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively. Supported the Schedules that Work Act to provide workers with a say in their schedules. Urged EEOC to collect and analyze pay data by race and sex to identify potential pay disparities.

Letter to Federal Reserve Board urging that the Board ensure rigorous consumer protections as it develops its FedNow service.

Urged passage of bipartisan concurrent resolution recognizing the importance of the 2020 census and encouraging participation.

Supported the Health Equity & Access under the Law (HEAL) for Immigrant Women & Families Act of 2019. The Act would help secure comprehensive and affordable healthcare for people of all immigration statuses. Signed on to letter to Congress outlining the serious problems with the Remain in Mexico program and asking for its immediate termination. Supported the New Way Forward Act which would repeal the 1996 immigration laws and decriminalize immigration. Urged Congress to reduce funding for enforcement, deportation, detention, and border militarization and immediately work to enact permanent protection for Dreamers, TPS recipients, and DED holders. Supported the Refugee Protection Act to address the worst refugee crisis in history.

Supported the Millionaires Surtax Legislation to raise tax rates by 10 percentage points on families making more than $2 million a year.

Opposed the Bipartisan Congressional Budget Reform Act (S 2765) in that it would change the budget resolution process and could have disastrous effects on millions of people dependent on Medicaid. Urged that the US end support for the Yemen War in Department of Defense appropriations.

Supported the 99.8 % Act: Estate Tax Reform to fund important services and reduce the deficit.

Supported the expansion of critical health care programs, including Community Health Care Centers. Urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to withdraw its proposed rule that would rescind important Obama Administration regulation regarding rates paid to providers.

Supported HR 3463 and S. 1970, the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act.

Urged that we honor our financial commitments to the United Nations.

Opposed any rules by the Department of Health and Human Services that would exempt federally funded foster care and adoption agencies from the religious non-discrimination protections provided under 45 CFR 75.300 (c).

Opposed the Administration's proposal to significantly weaken regulations and oversight of firearms exports.

Urged the passage of a bipartisan budget deal that lifts spending caps for non-defense spending and then prioritize funding for vulnerable populations and essential human needs programs in appropriations. Supported the inclusion of the repeal of the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force in the Defense Appropriations bill for 2020. Supported the Democracy for All amendment to restore to Congress to set rules for the raising and spending of money for elections. Supported upfront full-year appropriations for the 2020 Census.

Request to CIA to End the Use of Armed Drones.

Supported Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act to improve detention facilities. Opposed Social Security Administration's decision to resume sending no-match letters to employers. Supported H. Res. 299 Condemning White Supremacist Terrorism and the Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric that Inspires It. Supported the Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6). Opposed Remain in Mexico Policy. Supported the No Ban Act (National Origin Based Anti Discrimination for Non Immigrant Act. Opposed any poison pill amendments to the Dream and Promise Act of 2019. Supported the GRACE Act to provide safety to refugees fleeing persecution. Opposed increase funding for ICE for detention and enforcement. Opposed the Secure and Protect Act of 2019 as it will foreclose protection for possibly millions of people. Supported amendment 514 to s 1790 to prohibit the use of national defense funds for the construction of walls along our southern border.

Expressed concern on the proposed rule , Removal of Safe Harbor Protection for Rebates involving Prescription Pharmaceuticals.

Opposed limitation on travel to Cuba. Supported the Berta Caceres Act to suspend military funding to Honduras. Supported request for 18-month extension of TPS for Syria.

Urged Congress to pass the REAL Act to lift the ban on Pell grants for incarcerated individuals. Supported the Martha Wright Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2019 to provide relief frm the exorbitant costs for prison phone calls.

Supported the Brown-Bennet-Durbin-Wyden Working Family Tax proposal to increase EITC and CTC. Supported the 99.8 % Act: Estate Tax Reform to raise about $300 to fund important services and reduce the deficit.

Urged Congress to direct the Bureau of Economic Analysis to use economic reporting measures that accurately reflect the distribution of economic growth across society. Urged Congress to maintain the Johnson Amendment to maintain the integrity of charitable organizations and houses of worship.

Urged Congress to Divest from Detention and Invest in Human Needs. Urged Congress not to permit child welfare providers to discriminate against prospective parents based on religious tenets. Urged Congress to significantly increase funding for programs to prevent domestic abuse, sexual assault, and dating violence. Urged Congress to raise revenue by repealing the 2017 tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations; expand EITC for adults not raising children; make CTC fully refundable; improve the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. Urged Congress to raise the cap on domestic and international spending in FY 2020 Nand 2021.

Urged the protection and maintenance of the Johnson Amendment which prohibits houses of worship and other nonprofit organizations from supporting or opposing political candidates.

Opposed repeal of CFBP's Payday and Car Title Loan Rule.

Urged the creation of a Select Committee on Hunger within the House of Representatives.

Supported Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation that updates the Equal Pay Act of 1963. Supported the Raise the Wage Act of 2019 to raise the federal minimum wage. Supported Family Act of 2019 for paid leave.

Supported housing programs that provide housing assistance and community development resources to low-income Americans.

Opposed any weakening of the Mercury and Air Toxic Standards.

Urged the protection and maintenance of the Johnson Amendment which prohibits houses of worship and other nonprofit organizations from supporting or opposing political candidates.

Supported Freedom of Religion Act of 2019: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien may not be denied admission or other immigration benefits because of the alein's religion. Supported the Alternatives to Detention Act of 2019 requiring alternatives to detention for certain vulnerable populations. Urged reduction in funds for detention, deportations, border militarization, or border wall construction. Opposed the Trump/McConnell "End the Shutdown and Secure the Border Act." Opposed loss of status for longtime Liberian residents. Supported Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela. Extend TPS for South Sudan. Supported the Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (HR 6), to provide permanent protection to eligible TPS and DACA recipients. Supported the NO BAN Act to stop the Muslim Ban and future based on religion or national origin. Supported HR 1232, 1233, and 1234 in opposition to the Border Wall.

Supported the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 8) to implement universal background checks. Supported the Savannah Act (S. 227) and the Survive Act (S. 211), to help American Indians, especially women who are victims of crime.

Lessen restrictions on travel to Cuba; oppose placing Cuba on list of State Sponsors of Terrorism.

Supported the Comprehensive Consumer Credit Reporting to make it easier for consumers to dispute and remove inaccurate information from their credit report. Supported Restoring Justice for Workers Act to prohibit predispute arbitration agreements.

Opposed possible use and increased funding for nuclear weapons.

Urged Congress that the best health and health care are equally accessible and affordable to all.

Supported Restoring Justice for Workers Act. Supported obtaining and publicly releasing President Trump's tax returns and those of his more than 500 business entities. Supported $15/hour minimum wage.

Supported the Nicaragua Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Act of 2018 (S. 3233). Signed public statement to the 018 UN General Assembly expressing concern regarding nuclear weapons. Supported keeping the Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute. Supported humanitarian assistance in North Korea. Urged the State Department to take preventive diplomatic action to ensure a peaceful and credible election in Nigeria.

Urged bipartisan support for legislation to establish permanent protection for Dreamers and TPS workers. Opposed separating families at our border. Opposed further restrictions to providing access to asylum. Opposed changes in the Public Charge Rule that would harm immigrant families. Supported decrease funding for border militarization and immigration enforcement policies. Commented against the indefinite detention of immigrant children. Opposed targeting sponsors of unaccompanied children. Urged the immediate shutdown of the immigrant detention center in Tornillo,Texas. Supported the Sen. Harris/Cornyn migrant remains reimbursement/rescue beacons bill.

Supported passage of the First Step Criminal Justice reform bill.

Supported the Financial Transaction Tax Act of 2018. Opposed the Brady House Tax Cut Package. Urged the repeal of the provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that taxes nonprofits for the cost of parking and transit benefits provided to employees.

Supported measures to prevent bank payday loans.

Supported the Violence Against Women Act

Support Senate version of the Farm Bill over the House version since the Senate version would protect and strengthen SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).

Advocated in support of the Johnson Amendment which prohibits houses of worship from participating in partisan political activity.

Supported Restoring Justice for Workers Act. Supported obtaining and publicly releasing President Trump's tax returns and those of his more than 500 business entities. Supported $15/hour minimum wage.

Urged bipartisan support for legislation to establish permanent protection for Dreamers and TPS workers. Opposed separating families at our border. Opposed further restrictions to providing access to asylum. Opposed changes in the Public Charge Rule that would harm immigrant families. Supported decrease funding for border militarization and immigration enforcement policies. Commented against the indefinite detention of immigrant children. Opposed targeting sponsors of unaccompanied children. Urged the immediate shutdown of the immigrant detention center in Tornillo,Texas. Supported the Sen. Harris/Cornyn migrant remains reimbursement/rescue beacons bill.

Supported the Financial Transaction Tax Act of 2018. Opposed the Brady House Tax Cut Package. Urged the repeal of the provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that taxes nonprofits for the cost of parking and transit benefits provided to employees.

Support Senate version of the Farm Bill over the House version since the Senate version would protect and strengthen SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).

Opposed possible use and increased funding for nuclear weapons.

Urged humanitarian help for Nicaragua.

Urged recognition or recent atrocities committed against Rohingya and other religious and ethnic minorities in Burma as genocide and crimes against humanity.

Supported measures to prevent bank payday loans.

Supported Homeless Children and Youth Act, HR 1511/S 611

Opposed the Agricultural and Nutrition Act of 2018, Supported funding for the of $57.4 billion for FY 2019 State Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill.

Supported the Violence Against Women Act. Called for a Conference Committee on the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (H.R. 4924/S. 2952)

Stop privatization of water

Supported the DREAM Act for DACA immigrants.Opposed reduction of admitted refugees to 45,000. Protect Temporary Protected Status.

End the death penalty. Fully fund the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Supported funding for low-income housing, child nutrition, Earned Income Tax Credit, and other safety net programs.

Stop military aid to Honduras. Support Berta Carceres Human Rights in Honduras Act (HR 1299)

Opposed weakening the Johnson Amendment because our houses of worship could be torn apart by partisan campaign politics.

Supported the DREAM Act for DACA immigrants. As a statement of principle, opposed Islamophobia. Opposed the Muslim and refugee ban. Opposed deportation of refugees from Cambodia and Vietnam. Supported Temporary Protected Status of Central Americans. Supported 18-month extension of Haiti's TPS Designation.

Requested extension of time to comment on DOL Tipped Worker Notice of Proposed Rule Making. Supported the Child Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit.Opposed H.R. 1, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act. Supported the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the Federally Qualified Health Centers.Supported Hurricane Housing Relief.

Call on Congress to reinstate a just tax system, including investment in the renewal of the nation's economic wellbeing and protection of poor and vulnerable communities.

Supported the EEO-1 pay data collection to require large corporations to report pay data by race and gender

Opposed participation in any clearly immoral aggressive war against North Korea.

Asked House and Senate not to fund the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. Suppported Tribal access to funds collected through the Crime Victims Fund: Commerce, Justice and Science appropriations bill.Opposed the draft bills S 720 and HR 1697 known as the Israel Anti-Boycott Act. Supported the Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2017, HR 3239. Opposed the Higgins Amendment which would prohibit the expenditure of any funds on the 2020 Censusunless it asks questions on U. S. Citizenship and "immigration status."

Call on Congress to reinstate a just tax system, including investment in the renewal of the nation's economic wellbeing and protection of poor and vulnerable communities.

Supported funding for mental health care coverage. Opposed the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Urged the restoration of Medicaid eligibility to Compact of Free Associations communities.

Opposed Custom and Border Protection polygraph wiaiver bill as it would weaken hiring standards

Supported the EEO-1 pay data collection to require large corporations to report pay data by race and gender

Urged sufficient funding for low-income housing, child nutrition programs, Earned Income Tax Credit, and other safety net programs. Urged sufficient funding for mental health care coverage. Urged sufficient funding to end human trafficking. Urged Congress to reinstate a just tax system.

Supported Sex Trafficking Reduction Act (HR 466)

Supported the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Supported funding for low-income housing, child nutrition, Earned Income Tax Credit, and other safety net programs.

Urged EPA to preserve funding to prevent lead poisoning.

Opposed HR 985, Fairness in Class Acion Litigation Act of 2017

Supported Sex Trafficking Reduction Act (HR 466)

Urged increase funding for the U. S. Census Bureau.

Urged priority be given to the need of people living in poverty

Urged long term funding extension of the Children's Health Insurance Program.Supported Medicare and Medicaid, opposed legislation to repeal or rollback Medicaid expansion or converts Medicaid's financing through a block grant or per capita cap. Supported a strong, responsible paid family and medical leave policy and reject harmful alternatives.

Urged raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Opposed reopening review of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's Employment Information Report. Opposed the Workplace Advancement Act. Supported the Paycheck Fairness Act.Supporte Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.Supported Medicare and Medicaid services.

Opposed HR 985, Fairness in Class Acion Litigation Act of 2017

Advocated for the end to mandatory minimum sentences.

Lift the ban on food stamps, housing assistance, and TANF for individuals with criminal records. Support fair chance hiring.

Fund and implement pilot projects to help low-income families use vouchers to move out of high-poverty neighborhoods. Turn the Section 8 voucher program into an entitlement program.

Opposed family detention and the detention of babies and children. Opposed S. 3100, the "Stop Dangerours Sanctuary Cities Act."

Suported gun violence control, including universal background checks on evry gun purchase and a ban on all high-capacity weapons and ammunition magazines.

Urged support for the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act (S. 2123. The bill would reduce mass incarceration Urged increase funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

Opposed Sen. McCain's amendment No. 4229 to increase funding for the Pentagon by $18 billion. This amendment would break the Bipartisan Budget Amendment of 2015, which provided budget parity to domestic and defense spending, in spirit if not in letter.

Urged support for HR 3700, "The Housing Opportunities through Modernization Act." The bill wouold help state, local, and services agencies extend assistance to families in need.

Supported the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015 to help restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Supported the Freedom of Religion bill that would oppose bans on immigration, refuggees, and international travellers based on religion.

Opposed any attempt to defund the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or revision of the Employer Information Report - this information is important to reduce the gender wage gap.

Urged full funding for the HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes and the CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention program,

Opposed HR 4737, the State and Tribal Government Sovereignty Protection Act of 2016

Supported the DOL proposal to update the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity regulations. Opposed any funding bills that include provisions for rolling back or undermining financial reform. Supported Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order.

Urged adoption of strong rule addressing payday, car title, and similar loans.

Urged rejection of further cuts to programs within the jurisdiction of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees. Urged Congress to make a strong THUD 302b allocation a top priority.

Urged Department of Agriculture to instruct state SNAP agencies to include the provision of no-cost, wireless EBT equipment and service to authorized farmers markets and direct marketing farmers within the SNAP processing contracts.

Supported the Sentencing Reform and Correction sAct, S 2123

Opposed the use of the Overseas Contingency Operations Accounts as a "slush fund" in the National Defense Authorization bill. Urged sufficient funding for human needs, environmental programs,refugee assistance and resettlement and violence prevention programs. Supported improvements to the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit programs. Urged Congress to schedule a vote on nominee to serve as the Administrator for USAID.

Supported Smarter Sentencing Act. Supported increased funding for federal programs that address domestic violence, sexual assault,dating violence, and stalking. Urged the lifting of lifetime bans on SNAP and TANF for those convicted of federal drug offenses, and oppose any efforts to further restrict federal benefits for formerly incarcerated individuals. Supported Youth PROMISE Act.

Urged Congress to provide a four-funding extension for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Opposed eliminating or reducing concurrent Social Security Disability Insurance and Unemployment Insurance benefits.

Request Bureau of Prisons delay final decision regarding expansion of isolated confinement units until outside audit report is submitted. Supported fair charges for phone calls to and from prisons and immigration detention centers. Urged policies to end excessive punishments, promote alternatives to incarceration, and encourage rehabilitation and reintegration.

Request Bureau of Prisons delay final decision regarding expansion of isolated confinement units until outside audit report is submitted. Supported fair charges for phone calls to and from prisons and immigration detention centers. Urged policies to end excessive punishments, promote alternatives to incarceration, and encourage rehabilitation and reintegration.

Opposed additional cuts to programs within the jurisdiction of the Senate and House Agricultural Committees.

Supported the Paycheck Fairness Act for gender equity.

Support reducing national greenhouse gas emissions; help poor countries build low carbon and climate-resilient societies.

Supported adequate funding of the child nutrition programs.

Opposed changes to the Healthy School Meal Standards and the WIC Food Package. Supported passage of the Water for the World Act.

Supported increased funding for LIHEAP.

Opposed minimum rents on the lowest income tenants served by USDA housing programs. Supported the National Housing Trust Fund.

Advocated for the passage of the Second Chance Act.

Opposed the immigration detention bed mandate in FY 2015 DHS appropriations. Supported a path to citizenship and opposed the SAFE Act.

Urged that anti-poverty programs be protected during budget negotiations. Reduce funding for the Pentagon and increase funding for programs that address the needs of people living in poverty.

Urged passage of a comprehensive farm bill rather than putting critical programs, such as SNAP, at risk. Opposed cuts to SNAP.

Urged non-defense discretionary programs be protected with possible additional cuts to the military budget. Urged Congress not to allow the will of the few to shut down the government and harm the common good.

Urged reconsideration and passage of the Manchin-Toomey bill. Urged passage of H.R. 1565 - Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2013.

Urged balance budget to replace sequestration that protects discretionary funding for domestic, ant-poverty programs. Urged closing of offshore corporate tax loopholes.

Opposed Agricultural Guestworker Act, HR 1773. Urged passage of comprehensive, humane immigration reform that provides a pathway to citizenship. Urged that DHS appropriation bill not include immigration detention bed mandate.

Supported expansion of gun background checks. Supported the Manchin-Toomey Amendment.

Advocacted for compassionate immigration reform. Supported the Foster Children Opportunity Act. Urged support of provisions that protect due process and civil and human rights in S. 744. Supported the Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections for Separated Children Act. Supported the DHS Border Oversight Task Force.Urged the suspension of deportation of all persons who would be elgible for the Senate bill's legalization program.

Urged protection of Medicaid program and the Prevention and Public Health Fund.

Urged that immigration legislation be enacted that would protect family unity, provide a pathway to citizenship, and address the causes of immigration.

In taking action to avoid the fiscal cliff, we urged that any deficit reduction agreement not increase poverty or inequality. This includes exempting all non-health, low-income entitlement programs from cuts; protect poor children and families, low-income seniors, and Americans with disabilities in any savings from Medicaid and Medicare; prevent any further cuts to the current discretionary spending caps; protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; and protect the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit; protect the lowest 20% of households from higher taxes; and raise sufficient new revenues. Urged no cuts to the safety net and vital services for low-income people. Urged that corporations pay their fair share to reduce the deficit by closing corporate tax loopholes and adopting changes to the corporate tax code that result in significant additional revenues. Opposed adoption of a territorial tax system which encourages corporations to shift U.S. jobs and profits overseas. Urged passage of legislation to extend the unemployment benefits to those who are long-term unemployed.

Urged Senators and Representatives to sign the letter to HHS seeking the immediate release of FY 2013 LIHEAP funds under the 6-month Continuing Resolution.

Urged support of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)..

Urged Congress to maintain the Earned Income Tax Credit and the refundable Child Tax Credit. Opposed extending tax cuts for the richest two percent. Urged support for the Middle Class Tax Cut Act. Opposed cuts to the Refugee and Entrant Assistance Account. Opposed any alternatives to the sequester that cuts more deeply into government assistance for the poor and vulnerable.

Urged support for the Help Separated Families Act.

Urged support of the Water for the World Act of 2012, HR 3658.

Urged changes in the Affordable Housing and Self-Sufficiency Act to regain the discretion of individual public housing agencies to set a minimum rent below the federal cap, including a minimum rent of $0 and reform the hardship exemption so it protects vulnerable households from losing their housing if they cannot pay the increased minimum rent.

Urged co-sponsorship and passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 3220, H.R. 1519. Expressed overall support for the Rebuild America Act (S. 2252)/

Urged funding of the Second Chance Act in fiscal year 2013. Urged passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Requested hearing to examine the conduct of the Office of the pardon Attorney. Urged adoption of rules ending predatory pricing of prison phone rates.

Support forum on "Faithful Alternatives to Sequestration" to seek a balanced approach to deficit reduction. Opposed cuts to nondefense discretionary programs.

Opposed exclusion of immigration detention facilities from proposed Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003.

Urged support and early implementation of the Department of Labor rules (RIN 1235-AA05) on the "companionship exemption" under the Fair Labors Standard Act.

Urged rejection of proposal to offset the payroll tax package by restricting eligibility for the Child Tax Credit. Urged increase to the 302(b) allocations to the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD).

Supported the extension of federal unemployment insurance without barriers to access such as drug testing and education requirements.

Opposed privatization of correctional services. Supported passage of the Violence Against Women Act.

Requested that WIC and other federal nutrition programs be excluded from any cuts proposed by the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. Urged the Social Security Caucus in the Senate to help protect the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability program.

Supported the Humane Enforcement and Legal Protection (HELP) for Separated Children Act. Opposed the Keep Our Communities Safe Act of 2011.Opposed the Legal Workforce Act. Urged support for the Restoring Protection to Victims of Persecution Act of 2011 and urged Congress to cut costly immigration detention spending; seek alternatives to detention.

Urged prompt action to finalize regulations to extend minimum wage and overtime protections to most home care workers. Urged passage, enactment, and implementation of a major comprehensive jobs creation, infrastructure development and economy stimulating legislation package.

In the President's job creation plan, recommended that the plan includes at least $10 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund. Urged Senate Banking Committee to enact comprehensive voucher reform legislation.

Urged support of S. 1231, the Second Chance Reauthorization Act. Urged the Department of Justice to harmonize the National Standards with the exhaustion requirements of the Prison Litigation Reform Act.

Urged funding in the amount of at least $5.1 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Urged publication of storng rules to implement the Congoconflict minerals provisions that became law last year. Supported Jubilee debt cancellation.

Urged the review of costly federal criminal justice policies against less costly and more effective alternatives. Advocated for implementation of National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape. Support Reconnecting Youth to Prevent Homelessness Act of 2011. Urged passage of the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2011, S. 306

Urged legislation limiting large capacity ammunition magazines.

Urged support for the Urban Jobs Act of 2011 (S. 922)

Urged reauthorizatiion and full funding of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Urged cosponsorship of the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA).

Encouraged support of H.R. 308, a bill that would ban large capacity ammunition magazines.

Urged the Department of Justice to end de facto disenfranchisement of people with criminal histories through the education of officials, providing notices to affected individuals, assisting with voter registration, and enforcing compliance. Urged passage of S. 714, the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2011, to establish an independent Commission to undertake a comprehensive examination of America's criminal justice system and to make recommendations for fiscally responsible and effective reforms.

Urged support for a comprehensive peace agreement that ends the conflict in the Holy Land and achieves both the Palestinian goal of an independent, secure and viable state and Israel's goal of a secure state with recognized borders.

Urged the extension of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and ensure that they remain refundable

Urged the provision of $1 billion for low-income housing through the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF).

Urged the House of Representatives to improve upon and pass the Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill. Urged passage of the increased federal Medicaid match contained in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Urged passage of the Responsible Estate Tax Act, S. 3533, which would preserve the estate tax.

Supported the Home Star program to help millions of home owners save money on their energy bills.

Urged that Congress adopt a domestic discretionary spending level no lower than the President's FY 2011 budget, free of multi-year freezes and cuts. Improve and preserve the Refundable Child Tax Credit. Retain help for families with three or more children and reduce the "marriage penalty" in the Earned Income Tax Credit. Help low-income students afford to go to college through the American Opportunity Tax Credit. Opposed further reduction in revenue from the estate tax. Supported the extension of unemployment insurance and COBRA, along with the TANF Emergency Fund. Urged passage of a robustly funded Child Nutrition Bill. Supported passage of the Local Jobs for America Act (S. 3500). Urged that the following provisions be included in the Senate version of H.R. 4213: extension of unemployment insurance through 2010, COBRA health subsidies, enhanced FMAP benefits, and funding for the National Housing Trust Fund, the TANF Emergency Contingency Fund, and the summers jobs program.

In response to the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill, urged Congress to: work with stakeholders; hold responsible parties accountable; ensure that help reaches those in need; commit to a long-term recovery; takes steps to prevent future disasters; respond to yet-unknown needs.

Supported the Elimination of the One-Year Bar to Asylum: Co-Sponsor the Restoring Protection to Victims of Persecution Act (H.R. 4800); Supported immigrant access to health care in comprehensive immigration reform; Supported the Refugee Protection Act;

Urged Congress to fund the National Housing Trust Fund

Urged the passage of the National Housing Trust Fun with funding of $1.065 billion.

Urged the passage of H.R. 2324/ S. 843 legislation that would close the "gun-show loophole" that permits private sellers to sell guns without background checks or record keeping.

Urged passage of S.714, the national Crimnal Justice Commission Act. The Commission would be responsible for making findings and recommendations regarding crime prevention and deterrence strategies, improving cost-effectiveness, and ensuring the interests of justic at every step of the criminal justice system.

Supported the introduction and passage of the International Violence Against Women Act.

Advocated for six federal budget priorities: 1. Include a domestic spending cap high enough for human needs programs to adequately serve low and moderate income families suffering in the midst of the economic downturn; 2. Protect and create good sustainable jobs, targeting assistance to those hit hardest by the recession; 3. Protect and expand targeted tax benefits for low-income, working families; 4. Provide sufficient funding for TANF to effectively assist low-income families move into the middle class; and 5. Address the housing crisis by sufficiently funding affordable housing programs; 6. Provide $1 billion in new investments for child nutrition programs. For discretionary spending, urged the adoption of a domestic discretionary cap no lower than the President's request; avoidance of a multi-year discretionary spending freeze or cap. Urged the funding for transitional jobs and youth employment programs, investments in Workforce Investment Act policies; funding for national service programs, and discretionary child care and Head Start funding. Urged that savings from non-essential military spending be redirected toward alternative job creation. In terms of the estate tax, urged that exempt no more than the first $2 million ($4 for married couples) of assets in an estate; set a tax rate of no less than 45 percent for the taxable portion of estates, with an additional 10 percent tax on the taxable portion exceeding $10 million; restore a credit for state estate and inheritance taxes; and simplify the estate tax.

Advocated for comprehensive health care reform that protects life and ensure access to quality health care that is affordable for everyone. Urged additional funding to states to cover the costs of Medicaid. Supported additional funding of the Emergency Food Assistance Program. Encluraged passage of the Child Nutrition Program with an expansion of the Afterschool Meal Program, invest in Summer Nutrition Programs, and allow child care centers and homes the option of serving a third meal.

Advocated for comprehensive immigration reform that upholds family unity, creates a path for citizenship, protect all workers by providing legal and safe channels of entry for new migrant workers, ensure due process for individuals navigating the immigration system, facilitate the integration of new Americans by helping them prepare for naturalization applications, and prioritize community consultation to develop border policies and combines humanitarian values with targeted enforcement policies. Advocated that asylum screening br provided for interdicted Haitians, including granting temporary protected status to Haitians currently in the U.S., granting humanitarian parole to Haitians waiting in the family visa backlog, and considering other options for Haitian immigration to the United States. Urged the passage of H.R. 4800, the Restoring Protection to Victims of Persecution Act. Immigrants, including undocumented immigrants, should be afforded coverage in health care reform legislaiton.

Urged support for the Second Chance Act prison reentry grants.

Urged extension of benefits under the American Recovery and Investment Act. Encouraged meaningful financial reform that would include: ensure loan modifications are extended to all who seek and qualify for modifications, require loan companies to work with homeowners in distress by making loss mitigation mandatory, create a low-cost, short-term loan program to enable homeowners who have lost their jobs to keep current on their mortgage, and establish a Consumer Financial Protection Agency.

Urged adequate funding of the Housing Trust Fund.

Urged increased the funding for international adaptation programs, funding to fully protect low-income people in the U.S. from the effects of increased energy costs resulting from climate legislation, and to improve the emission mechanism system. Urged that poverty, climate, and coastal restoration be given priority in Gulf Coast recovery. Advocated: provide targeted training and hiring of disaster survivors for jobs rebuilding their communities, equitably rebuild affordable housing, restore environment and natural disaster mitigation, promote energy efficiency, make contracting and sub-contracting accessible to local businesses, and work with community and faith-based non-profits and local governments to allow communities to participate in planning and implementing recovery projects.

Urged strengthening Pell grants by increasing maximum grant, support te Perkins loan program, investing in Community Colleges, switching to direct federal lending, provied new major support for minority serving institutions, and simplify the FAFSA form.

Urged passage of affordable and accessible health care for all, including undocumented immigrants. Urged support of Rep. Bobby Rush's children's amendments to the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009. Urged that Medicaid improvements are implemented on the same schedule as other health coverage improvements and that newly elgible Medicaid enrollees receive adequate health coverage.

Endorsed the Orphans, Widows and Widowers Protection Act. the Reuniting Families Act (S. 1085) contains this bill as one of the bill's provision. Urged immigration and border policy include: enforceable detention standards, secure community-based alternatives to detention; fair day in court, access to counsel, federal enforcement, civil rights, and responsible and accountable border policy. Urged the inclusion of legal immigrants in health care legislation; mixed status families should receive the same level of assistance; elimination of the five-year bar on legal immigrants being elgible for Medicaid, and the inclusion of pregnant women and children in any health care plan, regardless of their legal status.

Urged consideration of progressive tax options to fund health care reform and other social service programs. Endorsed the America's Afforable Health Choices Act.

Endorsed the Positive Behavior for Safe and Effective Schools Act (HR 2597). Supported the "Hunger Free Schools Act of 2009" (S. 1343). Urged support of the Strengthen and Unite Communities with Civics Education and English Skills Act of 2009 (S. 1478).

Urged support and co-sponsorship of the Community Reinvestment Modernization Act of 2009 (H.R. 1479). Urged enactment of the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (SEVRA).

Urged support and co-sponsorship of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA) H.R. 1913. Urged passage of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2009 (S. 678). Urged support and co-sponsorship of the Democracy Restoration Act of 2009. Urged a White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Conference on Service and Prisoner Reentry: Creating a Criminal Justice System that Reflects Our Nation's Values.

Urges appropriation of $5.1 billion for the regular Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) program in FY2010 and an advance appropriation for FY2011 of $5.1 billion for the regular LIHEAP program.

Urged passage of just and comprehensive immigration legislation that would provide a pathway to citizenship, give priority to family reunification, and restoration of due process. Urged passage of the DREAM Act of 2009 (H.R. 1751/S. 729). Urged issuance of a standing, written policy directive making clear that immigration enforcement shall not be undertaken in association with any phase of emergency preparedness, relief, and recovery. Urged support of the Reuniting Families Act (S. 1085)

To ensure adequate resources to rebuild our economy and expand opportunity and security for all, urged that tax policy decisions be guided by the principles of adequacy, fairness, and responsibility. These recommendations include raising revenue from upper-income households, assessing a significant tax on large estates, reduce abuses in sheltering income in offshore tax evasions or avoidance schemes, and reducing tax preferences for unearned as opposed to earned income. Urged Congress to support and build upon President Obama's budget priorities. Oppose further cuts to the estate tax.

Urged that the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor receive sufficient funding to add 250 more investigative staff for FY2010 to address increasing incidences of wage theft. Urged passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. Urged passage of the Gulf Coast Civic Works Act of 2009.

Urged passage of budget with sufficient discretionary funds to ensure adequate funding of social programs that serve poor people. Urged defeat of proposed estate tax amendment.

To end child hunger in America, encouraged the passage of a strong Child Nutrition Reauthorization in 2009.

Encouraaged passage of effective climate control legislation.