Washington Update: Week of April 24
- Congress returned from spring recess on April 24 under pressure to pass a spending bill by the end of the week that would fund the federal government for the remainder of fiscal year 2017.
- If Congress fails to pass either a short-term continuing resolution or a full omnibus spending bill, most federal agencies will begin shutting down operations after April 28. Congressional leaders are eager to avoid a government shutdown, but the president is insisting on funding for a Mexico-U.S. border wall and this could derail negotiations.
- Appropriators have been working on a $1.1 trillion omnibus spending package for fiscal year 2017. If Congress is unable to agree on a spending bill this week, they could also pass a week-long continuing resolution to give them more time to negotiate an agreement.
American Health Care Act
- President Trump is pressuring the House to pass legislation this week to repeal the Affordable Care Act - also known as Obamacare.
- Given the ongoing fiscal year 2017 budget negotiations, it is unlikely this will be considered this week. Health care was not mentioned in House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s weekly schedule, although he did note additional legislative items are possib
Act Now!
This week, Congress will make budget decisions that will impact hungry and poor people in the U.S. and around the world.
Call (800-826-3688) and urge your senators and representative to make budget decisions that put us on track to end hunger by 2030. This includes protecting international development programs and programs that help low-income Americans, as well as providing additional funding for famine relief abroad.
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Tools
from our Resource Library
For Education
FAQ: Hunger Crisis in Afghanistan
Afghanistan would be considered likely to have high rates of hunger because at least two of the major causes of global hunger affect it—armed conflict and fragile governmental institutions.
Global Malnutrition Fact Sheet 2021
Malnutrition is responsible for nearly half of all preventable deaths among children under 5. Every year, the world loses hundreds of thousands of young children and babies to hunger-related causes.
MEMO ON THE HIGH RETURNS OF INVESTING IN A 1,000 DAYS INFRASTRUCTURE
Bread for the World is calling on the Biden-Harris administration and Congress to build a better 1,000-Days infrastructure in the United States.
For Faith
Finding Hope, Ending Hunger on Both Sides of the Border: A Bilingual Latino Devotional
Devotional writers challenge us to feel the Spirit of God within us and to hear God’s urgent call to demand justice so all can put food on the table.The Bible on Health as a Hunger Issue
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in faith.” These words from Colossians 2:6 remind us of the faith that is active in love for our neighbors.
The Bible on...
Faith Leaders' Unity Declaration on Racism and Poverty
A diverse body of Christian leaders calls on the churches and Congress to focus on the integral connection.
For Advocacy
Fact Sheet: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to respond to changes in need, making it well suited to respond to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fact Sheet: Why We Need $200 Million for Global Nutrition Programs
Bread for the World and its partners are asking Congress to provide $200 million for global nutrition.
Fact Sheet: Hunger by the Numbers
In 2017, 11.8 percent of households in the U.S.—40 million people—were food-insecure, meaning that they were unsure at some point during the year about how they would provide for their next meal.