USCCB - (SDWP) - Economic Stimulus

Economic Stimulus

Why you are receiving this ALERT
We would appreciate you activating your legislative networks to contact local Senate offices about the economic "Stimulus Package" being developed in the Senate this week. Listed below are some Senators who need particular attention. If your bishop is willing to weigh in that would be a big help!

The Conference of Catholic Bishops Position
Cardinal Mahony, in letters to House and Senate (see below), calls for

changes in the Unemployment Insurance program that make low wage and part time workers eligible, extends benefits, and supplements the amount of assistance the unemployed receive;
increased appropriations to the Food Stamp and WIC programs;
health care assistance for families of displaced workers;
a tax rebate for low and middle income households whose workers pay payroll taxes but not income taxes;
an increase in the minimum wage.

Background
As you know, we are working with a coalition of organizations to make sure that relief for low and moderate income workers and their families are part of any "stimulus" package signed into law by President Bush. Last week we sent out a general ALERT about Cardinal Mahony's letter and the need for you to contact your Senators on the topic. We want to keep you abreast of this fast moving legislation as best we can.

Our last ALERT told of the narrowly passed House bill (HR 3090) and its lack of meaningful unemployment or health care benefits for laid-off workers. The action now moves to the Senate where a number of plans are being discussed. The one receiving the most attention is from Senator Baucus (D-MT), the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Others, like Senator Kennedy (D-MA) and Senators Collins (R-ME) and Landrieu (D-LA) also have submitted legislation. The Republican Caucus will release its plan shortly; it is expected to reflect the wishes of the President. What is likely to happen is a lot of "horse-trading" between the moderates--Republicans and Democrats.

Although the Senate is not expected to consider economic stimulus legislation on the Senate floor until next week, Senator Baucus is continuing to meet with Democrats and Republicans on his proposal. Senator Kennedy and Senators Collins and Landrieu are also currently trying to generate support for their proposals.

A conference committee will ultimately combine the House and Senate proposals into one final stimulus package.

Action
Call your Senators at their local office. (The anthrax contamination of Senate offices in Washington, D.C. has caused delays in mail and difficulties reaching staff and Members by phone.) Re-enforce Cardinal Mahony's message on the need to assist low and moderate income workers through:

changes in the Unemployment Insurance program that make low wage and part time workers eligible, extends benefits, and supplements the amount of assistance the unemployed receive;
increased appropriations to the Food Stamp and WIC programs;
health care assistance for families of displaced workers;
a tax rebate for low and middle income households whose workers pay payroll taxes but not income taxes;
an increase in the minimum wage.

If possible, have your Bishop write and fax the letter to the Senators' local office; urge your legislative networks to call and write/fax as well. Get copies of your letters to your local newspapers; see if you can get an op-ed placed that supports the Conference's position.

These Senators need particular attention:

McCain (R-AZ)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Campbell (R-CO)
Graham (D-FL)
Cleland (D-GA)
Miller (D-GA)
Fitzgerald (R-IL)

Brownback (R-KS)
Breaux (D-LA)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Collins (R-ME)
Snowe (R-ME)
Baucus (D-MT)
Nelson (D-NE)
Ensign (R-NV)
Torricelli (D-NJ)

Conrad (D-ND)
Smith (R-OR)
Santorum (R-PA)
Specter(R-PA)
Chafee (R-RI)
Johnson (D-SD)
Jeffords (I-VT)
Kohl (D-WI)

For more information contact Thom Shellabarger at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 202 541 3189 or tshellabarger@usccb.org.