Washington
Update
February 2004
Expect a Fast-Paced, Shorter
Congressional Session in 2004
By Lynette Engelhardt Stott, LIRS
Director for Government Relations
The new year is already proving to be a busy
year in Washington, D.C. On January 7 President Bush announced
his proposal for a new temporary worker visa, which would have
a major impact on millions of undocumented workers in the United
States. The second session of the 108th Congress convened January
20 and immediately began work on finalizing fiscal year 2004
funding, which was not completed in 2003. As of this writing,
President Bush was to send his fiscal year 2005 budget proposal
to Capitol Hill February 2. Reports indicate that the plan will
cut the budget deficit in half over five years while providing
additional tax cuts. What effect will this have? Simply put—expect
funding cuts. We know from history that when government funding
is cut, more often than not, programs for vulnerable people
take some of the heaviest hits.
Because this is an election year Congress
will likely adjourn early in order to allow members to get out
into their districts and campaign. Given that it is also a presidential
election year, you can expect to see senators and representatives
in their home states more often over the course of the next
several months. This provides a great opportunity to weigh in
with your members of Congress at town-hall meetings, in public
forums or by visiting their district offices.
Issues important to refugees and other vulnerable
immigrants will likely not be at the center of election politics,
but President Bush’s immigration proposal all but ensures
that there will be a public debate over U.S. immigration policy.
LIRS is working hard to ensure that immigration reform legislation
promotes family unity, makes it possible for those working “below
the radar” in our country to live openly within the law
in our society without fear, protects human rights and worker
rights, and provides a path to citizenship. We continue to work
toward passing the Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act
of 2003, improving the rights of asylum seekers and bolstering
the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
With such a busy legislative session that
is expected to wrap up early this year, it is important for
concerned people to weigh in with their elected officials in
support of just, comprehensive immigration reform; passage of
the Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act; human rights for
asylum seekers; and a stronger U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
Churches can play a vital role in mobilizing
such advocacy. Consider inviting members of Congress to meet
with your congregation, and express your concerns for refugees
and other vulnerable immigrants. Visit www.lirs.org for updated
information and action alerts to support your advocacy efforts,
and feel free to contact LIRS’s Washington office—dc@lirs.org—if
you have any questions.
I’m looking forward to working with
you in 2004 to ensure U.S. policies provide new hope and new
life for refugees, immigrants and those seeking protection from
war and oppression.
Read
past Washington Updates.
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