NETWORK LOBBY FOR CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTICE for NETWORK

Defense DEF

NETWORK supports a "Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures" (SANE) Act of 2015 which would reduce spending on nuclear weapons. NETWORK opposes funding for the A-10 weapons system. NETWORK supports cuts to spending by the Pentagon for purposes of war. NETWORK strongly supports decreasing funds to the OCO budget which masks the true cost of war and promotes a system that is unaccountability to taxpayers.

Contacted: SENATE; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; President of the U.S.; Air Force, Dept of

Trade (domestic/foreign) TRD

NETWORK strongly opposes an extension of Fast Track trade promotion authority because it is undemocratic and promotes special interest over the common good. NETWORK strongly opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership as it is currently being negotiated and believes that just economic policies should be the basis for any trade deal.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Air Force, Dept of; SENATE; President of the U.S.; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS)

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

NETWORK strongly supports closing tax loopholes that promote the off-shoring of profits by U.S. corporations. NETWORK strongly support an expanded and permanent Earned Income Tax Credit as well as a permanent, refundable Child Tax Credit. NETWORK strongly believes that tax-paying immigrant families should have access to the Child Tax Credit. NETWORK strongly believes that the Social Security Disability Insurance should be fully funded to protect individuals that are receiving this critical benefit.

Contacted: Federal Communications Commission (FCC); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); SENATE; Air Force, Dept of; President of the U.S.; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Health Issues HCR

NETWORK strongly supports a 4 year renewal of the Children's Health Insurance program. NETWORK strongly supports fixing the Sustainable Growth Rate related to the Medicare payment system. NETWORK strongly supports the Affordable Care Act and works to expand Medicaid coverage so that all Americans have health insurance.

Contacted: President of the U.S.; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Air Force, Dept of; Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); SENATE

Foreign Relations FOR

NETWORK opposes S. 615, the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, and believes that negotiations should proceed with Iran with the hope of achieving a lasting, peaceful solution. NETWORK supports the "End Modern Slavery Initiative Act of 2015" and believes it will prevent trafficking and providing meaningful assistance to victims of trafficking. NETWORK supports effort to promote dialogue and non-military assistance in Syria and Iraq as a means of fostering a lasting and just resolution of conflict.

Contacted: Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); President of the U.S.; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Air Force, Dept of; SENATE

Bills named: S. 615 (114th)

Environment/Superfund ENV

NETWORK strongly supports President Obama's Clean Power Plan, the U.S.-China Climate Agreement and a pledge to commit U.S. money to a Green Climate Fund to counter the effects of climate change. NETWORK strongly opposes the Keystone Pipeline.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Air Force, Dept of; SENATE; President of the U.S.; Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS)

Housing HOU

NETWORK strongly supports increasing the THUD allocation (302(b0) to the highest level possible to ensure that there is funding to support low income housing.

Contacted: Air Force, Dept of; Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); SENATE; President of the U.S.

Budget/Appropriations BUD

NETWORK strongly supports removing sequester cuts for programs aimed at providing assistance to people living in poverty. NETWORK strongly supports increasing the budget for non-defense discretionary programs to meet the needs of people living in poverty. NETWORK opposes Amendment #372 to Senate Con. Res. 11 which would have required drug testing for people receiving TANF benefits. NETWORK supports a federal budget which invests in people in order for all to achieve their maximum potential and asks all Americans to pay their fair share of taxes.

Contacted: Air Force, Dept of; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); SENATE; President of the U.S.; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)

Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace LBR

NETWORK strongly supports efforts to raise the Minimum Wage to a living wage. NETWORK strongly supports legislation to provide women equal pay for equal work. NETWORK strongly supports federal efforts to provide employment opportunities for people who have been previously convicted of a crime. NETWORK opposes H.R. 527, the "Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act" which provides business with a way to avoid providing safe and fair workplaces.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Air Force, Dept of; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); SENATE; Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); President of the U.S.

Bills named: H.R. 527 (114th)

Immigration IMM

NETWORK strongly support comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship. NETWORK strongly opposes any anti-immigrant amendments to H.R. 420, the Department of Homeland Security funding bill. NETWORK strongly opposes H.R. 399, "Secure Our Borders First Act of 2015" which increases militarization of our borders, costs excessive amounts of money, leads to racial profiling and dehumanizes immigrants. NETWORK opposes the use of family detention centers for immigrant children and families and believes there are more humane and cost effective means of enforcing U.S. immigration laws.

Contacted: U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Air Force, Dept of; SENATE; President of the U.S.

Bills named: H.R. 420 (114th), H.R. 399 (114th)

Food Industry (safety, labeling, etc.) FOO

NETWORK strongly supports funding of federal nutrition programs for children including the Child Nutrition Reauthorization. NETWORK strongly supports the Summer Meals Program Act and encourages full funding for this critical program. NETWORK believes it is extremely important to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program which ensures the health and well-being of millions of people living in poverty.

Contacted: Air Force, Dept of; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); President of the U.S.; SENATE

Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice LAW

NETWORK strongly supports significant reforms to our criminal justice system aimed at addressing overcrowding, costliness and racial disparities in the federal prison system. NETWORK strongly supports new FCC proposals to address local prison phone rates, elimination of payments from prison phone companies to hiring institutions, and ensures that related fees aren't predatory. NETWORK strongly supports the Redeem Act and the Smarter Sentencing Act. NETWORK strongly supports reforms to the Federal Bureau of Prisons crisis, efforts to build trust between law enforcement and communities of color and ensuring public safety.

Contacted: Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); President of the U.S.; Air Force, Dept of; SENATE; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES