This week will be a busy week in Washington and across the country as immigrant advocates continue to organize in support of compassionate and comprehensive immigration reform, health care advocates highlight the need for health care reform during Cover the Uninsured week, and the House of Representatives tries once again to move forward a budget that will force deep cuts in human needs programs. Below are listed some actions that you can take to ensure that Good Shepherd values are heard during the debates on these critical issues!

          BUDGET CALL-IN DAYS         

House Republican leaders have not given up on passing a budget resolution. They were unable to bring the budget to the floor before the April recess in part because moderates could not support the deep cuts it required.  Now Congress is back, and they are still having difficulty putting together enough votes to pass a budget.  That is good news.  But some now speculate that the House may be close to a deal.

Don’t let up now!  Moderates will be under tremendous pressure to drop their objections to cutting nutrition, education, housing, and other vital services.  But if members of Congress hold firm, they can prevent harmful cuts.   

          ACTION NEEDED         

Using the toll-free number, 1-800-459-1887, call your Representative and urge him/ her to oppose any budget proposal that forces cuts in human needs programs.  The current low funding level in the House budget resolution is a direct threat to children, seniors, and working families who rely on the services this funding provides.  Urge him/her to support funding levels at least equal to those in the Senate, which will help prevent cuts to health care, education, nutrition assistance, environmental protection, and other domestic discretionary programs. It is critically important to keep up the pressure on moderates and tell them that they must oppose a budget that sacrifices vital services to pay for tax breaks that favor the wealthy few.

          COVER THE UNINSURED WEEK         

This week marks the fifth "Cover the Uninsured Week," which has been organized to draw attention to the need to reform our health care system to provide affordable, quality health coverage for ALL Americans.  Numerous events are taking place across the country to raise awareness about the uninsured and encourage action toward improving our health care system.  Community participation is critical to ensure that our lawmakers know that health care should be one of their top priorities!

          ACTION NEEDED         

1. Write your Senators and Representative and urge them to make health care a top priority. A sample letter is available on our action website for you to personalize and send.

2. Visit our new health care page for more information, other action ideas, and links to materials from the Cover the Uninsured Week sponsors.

          PRAYER SERVICE FOR IMMIGRANTS         

In solidarity with the prayer vigils being held around the country today in support of justice for immigrants, we offer you a prayer service created by Catholic Charities USA.  The prayer service can be accessed here.    

We will continue to keep you updated as immigration legislation moves forward in the Senate and additional action is needed.

Also, check out our Darfur page for pictures and reflections from the amazing rally for an end to the violence in Darfur and for additional information about the situation in Sudan.