Washington Update: Week of May 8
- President Trump signed the fiscal year 2017 omnibus appropriations bill into law on Friday, May 5, averting a government shutdown and keeping the government funded through September 30, 2017.
- The $1.1 trillion compromise omnibus spending bill was a win for anti-hunger advocates. Not only were most domestic and international programs we track fully funded, but the bill also included more than $1 billion in famine relief.
- The deep cuts to anti-hunger programs proposed by the Trump administration earlier this year were not included in the legislation. Several of the programs the administration proposed cutting or zeroing out received full funding or in other cases saw increases in funding.
- With the fiscal year 2017 appropriations finalized, Congress will now turn to the fiscal year 2018 budget and appropriations process. The House and the Trump administration could release their 2018 budget proposals as early as this month, although we’ve also heard it could be pushed to early June.
American Health Care Act
- The House last week narrowly passed the American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628).
- Now the AHCA will move on to the Senate. Apparently, the Senate plans to totally disregard the House bill and write their own. We have heard that the Senate will take their time and likely won’t vote on a measure until June.
Act Now!
Last week, the House passed the American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628), which would force 14 million people off Medicaid. Now, the health care debate moves to the Senate. Call (800-826-3688) your senators today. Tell them to make ending hunger by 2030 a priority and to OPPOSE any legislation that cuts funding to Medicaid or restructures the Medicaid program.
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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.