Dear Michael,
In our advocacy, we often speak of the need for persistence. It can take years, even decades to institute meaningful policy change. That can be frustrating in the short term. It can feel like defeat. It is easy to forget that we are not running this race by ourselves. Rather, we are part of a relay team made up of past, present, and future advocates—all working together to bend the arc of the universe closer to justice.
We were reminded by that this week, as the House took its first steps towards reducing gun violence. It has been 25 years—a quarter century—since this chamber was last able to muster the votes to pass meaningful legislation to address the epidemic of gun violence in our nation.
The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 8) passed by a vote of 240-190. This legislation will save lives by closing a loophole that has allowed people who are barred from buying and owning guns to work around our current background check system by purchasing firearms through unlicensed and private sellers.
This is a major step forward, and now the real work begins. The Senate must take up their version of this legislation—S. 42. Senate leadership has no appetite to move this bill. The only way it will advance is if we can build loud, sustained, grassroots pressure.
It’s time to pick up the baton. Your Senators need to hear from you. As Andre Gobbo, FCNL’s domestic policy associate on this issue, reminded us this week, “Inaction is no longer viable.”
Elsewhere
Diplomacy with North Korea is our Only Option
Talks between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un ended ahead of schedule on Wednesday, Feb. 27, without a deal. This is a setback, but both sides say they are still committed to diplomacy.
Our faith guides us to always seek the solutions of peace—regardless of whether the answers to the dilemmas we face have yet come into view. Way will open on the Korean peninsula, if our country has the courage to keep working to find it.
Major Cuts to Food Aid Coming in Puerto Rico
Unless Congress acts soon, Puerto Rico will face a major reduction in food assistance. Funding for the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) reverts in March to pre-hurricane levels, which were already inadequate, and far less than other Americans receive per capita. NAP is the commonwealth’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps).
U.S. Institute of Peace Report Calls for a New Approach to Countering Terrorism
USIP’s new report concludes that the current counter-extremism and counter-terrorism approaches have failed to make us safer and have increased global terrorism and extremism. A new approach is proposed, which emphasizes the need to understand root causes of extremism and focus on prevention
Protecting Public Lands
A bipartisan public lands bill passed both chambers of Congress and is expected to be signed into law. It will protect more than two million acres of land from development and exploitation.
Rethink Middle East Policy
White House advisor Jared Kushner is planning to release a Middle East peace plan soon. Here’s a good piece we’re reading on how to rethink and refocus U.S. policy on Israel and Palestine.
Native American Advocacy Training
Join Lacina Onco (Kiowa/Shinnecock), our lobbyist for FCNL’s Native American Advocacy Program, to learn how to lobby on Native issues. The training will be live-streamed via Zoom at 9:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, March 6. Register to join!
Spring Lobby Weekend
Spring Lobby Weekend (March 23-26, 2019) starts in three weeks—there’s still time to register! Join the nearly 500 young adults who have signed up to lobby their members of Congress to reject increased funding for immigration enforcement.
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Sincerely, Jessie Palatucci Senior Manager |
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Chris Kearns-McCoy Program Assistant |
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