We are living in challenging times. Too often, cracking open a newspaper or turning on the news feels like a bleak exercise in disappointment, concern, and outrage. In these times more than ever, we must seek hope.
Around the world, we witness wars, violence, and natural disasters linked to climate change destroy communities and rip families apart. Meanwhile, leaders in the United States are slow to act, and, far too often, try to tear down the progress we’ve made rather than build upon it.
Difficult and worrisome times call for active and resilient hope.
But difficult and worrisome times call for active and resilient hope. There is new energy for advocacy, and there is more reason than ever to affirm that the world we seek is within our reach and worth our effort. New milestones along the way give us reason to celebrate and redouble our efforts. As advocates for a better world, we shouldn’t ignore the stories that inspire concern, but we must also hold on to the stories of hope that can fuel faithful action.
Climate change is officially a bipartisan issue
Support the Climate Solutions Caucus
Congressional calls for action on climate change and the environment now enjoy unprecedented bipartisan support. Recently, more than forty House Republicans joined with Democrats to reject cuts to the EPA that would have impaired the agency’s ability to protect clean air and water. Meanwhile, Republicans in the Senate voted for international funds used to address Climate Change. In the House, the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus continues to grow, with four new additions last week. Now, fifty-eight members of Congress, half of them Republicans, have committed to meet regularly to discuss solutions to climate change. And the Republican Climate Resolution, which would commit the House of Representatives to act on climate change, now has twenty-two Republican cosponsors.
Encourage your representative to act on climate
Americans rally around Dreamers
Protect Dreamers
Urge Congress to pass the Dream Act to prevent young immigrants from being deported.
Since President Trump moved to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, Americans across the political spectrum have stood up and demanded protections for young immigrants who are covered by DACA. In Congress, the DREAM Act picked up new support from both Republicans and Democrats, and sponsors of the bills believe that they are approaching the level of bipartisan support that they will need for protections for Dreamers to become law. Even the president has signaled that he is open to legislation that would protect young immigrants. Perhaps he saw this poll, which shows that nearly 80% of Americans support protecting Dreamers, including two-thirds of President Trump’s own voters.
Tell your members of Congress to protect Dreamers.
Momentum builds to end endless war
For the first time in 16 years, Congress has debated endless war and the limits that should exist on the president’s authority to wage war. Last week, the Senate considered an amendment by Rand Paul to sunset the 2001 and 2002 Authorizations to Use Military Force, which presidents have used as a blank check to wage war in at least 14 countries. While the Senate ultimately killed the resolution, it forced them to debate war, and put themselves on record, for the first time. This came just a few months after Republicans and Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to sunset the 2001 AUMF nearly unanimously.
Respond to your senators’ votes.
Faith in action at FCNL
FCNL’s network has never been more active or engaged. Now in its third year, our Advocacy Corps program is setting new program records for grassroots organizing on climate change. Meanwhile, FCNL’s national network of Advocacy Teams continues to grow. We now have more than 70 teams around the country, with more than 1000 members! These programs support FCNL’s work by organizing in their communities, publishing letters to the editor in their local papers, and meeting with their members of Congress and their staff.
Now is the time to join in FCNL’s work as we seek a world defined by peace and justice. This work will always be difficult. At times, it may even seem impossible. But FCNL’s work has never been more important than right now. Together, we are working to achieve the next milestone, to author that next story of hope that will inspire others to keep faith and act.
Join us in Washington, DC this November
Be a part of Quaker advocacy that challenges us to Love Thy Neighbor (No Exceptions).
