The second Trump administration has been marked by chaos and rising threats of authoritarianism, oligarchy, and White Christian nationalism.
We are working “to be responsive to this moment, even when that means stretching outside of our typical advocacy work,” FCNL’s Lauren Brownlee wrote this week. Yet as Lauren reminded us, we must not allow the whirlwind moment to blow us off the issues that have anchored our work.
This week, we applauded the re-introduction of three bills that have been longstanding FCNL legislative priorities:
Protections for Dreamers
The American Dream and Promise Act was reintroduced by Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) in the House.
This bill defends millions of Dreamers who have been in U.S. since childhood and contributed immensely to their communities. Congress must provide pathways to citizenship for Dreamers and the whole undocumented community.
Indian Boarding Schools Bill
Senators Lisa Murkowski (AK) and Democrat Elizabeth Warren (MA) reintroduced the bipartisan Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act (S.761).
“As a Quaker organization, FCNL feels a deep responsibility to this effort,” FCNL’s Bridget Moix said, noting that Quakers ran boarding schools and contributed to the atrocities committed there.
Congress must investigate these policies of cultural genocide, document survivor testimonies, and provide answers to Native communities about what happened to their loved ones.
Reining in War Powers
Reps Gregory Meeks (NY-5) and Chip Roy (TX-21) reintroduced a bipartisan bill to repeal the 2002 and 1991 Authorizations for the Use of Military Force (AUMFs).
Repealing outdated war authorizations is a critical step both to end endless wars and prevent new ones. Congress must act to restore checks and balances on war powers and ensure these AUMFs can’t be abused in the future.
While some of these bills may not make front page news, they are all important opportunities for progress toward the world we seek. We hope you will continue persistently advocating with us to bring them across the finish line this year.
Elsewhere
House Advances Budget Resolution Which Could Wreck Safety Net
In a very close vote on Tuesday, the House passed a bill to strip health care and food assistance for millions of people while slashing taxes for the wealthy. This isn’t the end of the story. There will be more votes to come in the House and the Senate and more opportunities to save Medicaid and SNAP.
The federal government needs to be clear-eyed about its budgetary priorities. As FCNL’s Bridget Moix puts it, “Our values as people of faith demand we invest in the care and needs of the most vulnerable members of our community, not the richest and most powerful.”
Trump Administration Terminates Thousands of Foreign Aid Contracts
The Trump administration announced it is terminating nearly 10,000 foreign aid contracts and grants, leaving only 1,200. This is as they are trying to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
As FCNL’s Ursala Knudsen-Latta said in a recent blog post, this means that “millions of children who were fed in January will now go hungry. The sick who were receiving treatment will no longer. Peacebuilders and human rights defenders who sought the U.S. as a partner for their futures have been abandoned overnight.”
But we aren’t giving up.
We are lobbying Congress to have the moral courage to live up to the values of the country. Join us in calling on Congress to stand up to the administration for what is right!
Opting Out of Spending Today? Make a Gift for Peace Instead!
Many folks are choosing not to spend money today to protest the undue influence of corporations’ priorities in our lives. Whether or not you’re observing this, we wanted to let you know that a gift of any size to FCNL supports lobbying Congress to advance people’s priorities: an end to war, justice and equity for all, and a sustainable planet. Please consider supporting FCNL if you are able!
