Action Alerts
Peace in the Holy Land
 Take Action Now! Make a bold move in support of peace in the Middle East by signing this ecumenical letter to President Obama encouraging his Administration's efforts to secure peace.
Read the complete action alert.
Learn more about Catholics Confront Global Poverty and how you can get involved to end conflict and promote peace.
Learn more about CRS' work in the Holy Land.
U.S. International Affairs Budget
Take Action Now! Urge your Senators to support no less than $53.9 billion for the FY2010 International Affairs Budget 302(b) allocations.
What are 302(b) allocations for the FY2010 International Affairs Budget?
 The 302(b) allocations limit how much money each of the 12 appropriations subcommittees can spend on various federal programs in the next fiscal year, including those that confront global poverty. The House has already released its 302(b) allocations, providing only $48.8 billion for the international affairs account, which is $3 billion less then what the President requested.
A strong allocation for the overall international affairs budget will ensure that people living in poverty worldwide receive the assistance they need. Included in the international affairs budget 302(b) allocation are such programs as international food aid, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), funding for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and other poverty-focused accounts. Please make sure your Senators know that you expect strong funding levels for programs that fight global poverty.
Organize a Visit to Your Member of Congress
The July 4th congressional recess, scheduled for the week of June 29 - July 3, is a great time for you to schedule a meeting with your member of Congress who will be home to meet with constituents and discuss issues of concern to them. Here are some suggested topics to discuss with your member:
- Climate Change: Make sure your member knows that it's critically important that poor people here at home and overseas have the means necessary to adapt to the effects of climate change. Let them know that the international adaptation provisions in the Waxman-Markey bill are inadequate and that you insist on legislation providing $3.5 billion in the first year and a ramp up of funding levels at a faster pace after that.
- Holy Land: Let your member know that you expect bold action for peace in the Middle East and urge him/her to support the administration's efforts to push for a resolution of this conflict now.
Legislative Updates
Funding for Global Emergencies This Fiscal Year—FY2009 Supplemental
 The FY 2009 Supplemental Appropriations bill has passed both the House and Senate and contains urgently needed funding for global humanitarian emergencies in the current fiscal year. There are some differences between the Senate and House bills, which will have to be reconciled by a House-Senate conference committee before the President can consider signing it. The bill is expected to be completed in June 2009.
CRS and USCCB are urging that the following foreign assistance priorities receive the highest level of funding:
- Support for the Palestinian People
- International Disaster Assistance
- Migration and Refugee Assistance
- Food Aid
- International Peacekeeping and Peacekeeping Operations
- Assistance in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq
- Global Financial Crisis
- Development Assistance
Climate Change
 The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, (H. R.2524) sponsored by Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA, 30th) and Edward Markey (D-MA, 7th) is expected to be considered by the House of Representatives before the July 4th recess. As we have previously reported, while the bill represents an important beginning to addressing global climate change and includes provisions that protect the poor and vulnerable at home and abroad, CRS and the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) are deeply disappointed that the funding resources committed to international adaptation fall fundamentally short of what is needed to help people living in poverty overseas adapt to the serious climate impacts already occurring around the world as expressed in a letter to the committee. CRS and USCCB are advocating for a minimum of $3.5 billion in the first year and a ramp up of funding levels at a faster pace after that. The legislation currently only provides about $1 billion.
CRS continues to collaborate with the Bishops' Conference and through USCCB with the National Religious Partnership on the Environment and its other member organizations (the National Council of Churches, the Evangelical Environmental Network and the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life) to seek an increase in the funding as the legislative process moves forward.
The Senate is working behind the scenes but is waiting for House action to be completed.
We will let you know when you will have the next opportunity to weigh in on this bill and improve its international adaptation provisions.
Upcoming Events - Resources
Save the Date
Webcast of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Natural Resource Extraction—July 8, 2009, 2-3 p.m., EST
NEW Webcast Recordings Available—Listen at Any Time
Presenters: Steve Colecchi, Director, International Justice and Peace, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and LeAnn Hager, recent Deputy Country Representative, Jerusalem/West Bank/Gaza Country Program, Catholic Relief Services
Presenters: Steve Colecchi, Director, International Justice and Peace, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Emily Burrows, Strategic Issues Advisor, Catholic Relief Services
Tell Us What You're Doing to Confront Global Poverty This Summer
Please share your photos, stories, quotes, ideas and prayers of how you are confronting global poverty. Write to globalpoverty@crs.org and we'll make sure to post your suggestions and stories on the Catholics Confront Global Poverty website.
New information and resources are always being added to Catholics Confront Global Poverty. Keep checking the website and encouraging folks to become one in a million! | 
