A Bill For Every Community And Constituency, The Farm Bill by  Kirk Freeman

A bill is being written on Capitol Hill right now that could advance or obstruct many of the equity, justice, and environmental priorities of Unitarian Universalists and other progressive people of faith. And it might not be the first bill you would think of when considering where we should deploy our organizing energy and advocacy resources in Washington. Every five years, Congress negotiates a massive Farm Bill, and given the issues on the negotiating table, Unitarian Universalists must bring our values and commitments to bear on this debate.

Fifteen years ago, I served as the Legislative Director for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives whose district included parts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and its near-in suburbs. Agriculture and farming policy was not a top priority for most of the district, yet I quickly learned how important and relevant the 2008 Farm Bill was to every community and every constituency in the United States. 

Karen Perry Stillerman, Deputy Director of the Union of Concerned Scientists, lists Six Reasons Why You Should Care about the (So-Called) Farm Bill, ranging from the Bill’s significant investments in food security and food aid programs to its potential to address climate change and build climate resilience, to the way it could counteract the impact Wall Street and corporate consolidation has had on the price of food, the rights of agriculture workers, and the treatment of livestock. I would add to this list the bill’s potential impact on forest management practices to reduce the threat of wildfires and protect the long-term health of our forests, which, as we know, are nature’s air purifiers and climate protectors. 

In past years, the Farm Bill has also been caught up in other major policy disputes. For example, in 2018, conservative Republicans used the Farm Bill to try to force a repeal of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA). As supporters of UUSJ, you know that this has been an ongoing fight, and I hope you have responded to UUSJ’s call to action.

So, how can UUs get involved?

First, you can start by taking the new Farm Bill action by UUSJ.

[See full commentary]

Kirk W. Freeman is a candidate for Ministerial Fellowship with the UUA. He expects to graduate from Wesley Theological Seminary in May. Kirk is currently serving as a chaplain intern at a Federal Institute, and he previously served the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville, MD, as a ministerial intern. Before accepting the call to ministry, Kirk worked for fifteen years in politics, first as a congressional aide and then as a government relations executive.

Save Jackson State Forest - Protect Pomo Homelands

Petition California Governor Gavin Newsom

During February, UUSJ received a request from UUs working in Northern California through Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ) with the Pomo Indian community near Jackson State Forest for assistance with a petition to Governor Gavin Newsom. You are asked to consider joining their petition, no matter where you live in the U.S.

Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF) is the largest state forest in California at nearly 50,000 acres. It is located in the ancestral Northern Pomo and Coast Yuki territory of the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians. Since its inception in 1947, the State has primarily managed this forest to cut it for profit, not preserve it. The Tribe and a statewide coalition of environmental justice advocates have joined together to protect and preserve the trees and ancestral cultural resources throughout this forest. Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Elder Priscilla Hunter offers a related post on Protecting Her Forest Family & Recovering Her Homeland.

Spring for Change: a Season of Sacred Activism

From the evening of Sunday, March 19 (the night before the Spring Equinox on Monday, March 20th!) through May 22nd (International Day for Biodiversity) — is an invitation to the Unitarian Universalist faith community to embody the transformational, regenerative power of Spring through sacred activism for Earth and all our relations.

The 2023 Spring for Change theme is Active for Earthcare! More details HERE. 

UUSJ is happy to collaborate with UUMFE and is offering action to urge Congress to Advance a Climate-Smart Farm Bill as part of this Season of Sacred Activism.

Save Democracy, Stop Autocracy

As a country, we need to embrace our differences. That is what makes us strong as a nation. When we are polarized, we are weak. That is why authoritarian leaders work to divide us. 

When we are together, we can change the world. It is time we strike back for democracy. Tell your members of Congress our democracy is under attack. We need you to help save it!

Please utilize this action alert to encourage your members of Congress to work with their colleagues across the aisle, and the Capitol, on essential and necessary bipartisan legislation.

Related to attitudinal trends in American autocracy, the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and Brookings offered findings from their Christian Nationalism Survey, Understanding the threat of white Christian nationalism to American democracy today (Video, past event).

Toward Pro-Democracy Executive Orders

While Congress faces deep challenges to passing pro-democracy legislation, it is up to the White House to deliver for the American people. That’s why the Declaration for American Democracy (DFAD) Coalition is calling on President Biden to strengthen our democracy through executive action laid out in their EO Memo. UUSJ is a Member of Faithful Democracy, which participates in DFAD and champions a faith-grounded perspective as part of the broad coalition.

In support:

• DFAD launched a Letter To the Editor (LTE) tool urging Biden to use the full power of the Oval Office to protect and strengthen our democracy
• DFAD and Daily Kos are launching a multi-partner petition urging President Biden to take the lead with immediate, decisive actions to bolster our democracy’s defenses and proactively strengthen our country’s commitment to civil rights. Faithful Democracy is a listed participating organization for the petition. Sign + Send the Petition to urge President Biden to issue Executive Orders to strengthen our democracy

Plans to Engage The House

In March, the Democracy Action Team is planning to meet with members of the House of Representatives to discuss the following legislative areas and determine the prospects of these moving forward:

• campaign finance (H.J. Res. 13 and H.R. 142)
• voting rights (Restoring Faith in Elections Act, H.R. 156)
• redistricting (CLEAN Elections Act H.R. 157)
• transparent representation (TRUST Act, H.R. 345) 
• any other potential democracy-related legislation

We will be working on scheduling meetings with the staff in the offices listed below. If you live in one of these districts, we would greatly appreciate your joining us for the discussion. We will have more effective meetings if we bring constituents. Please contact Fred Van Deusen at fredvandeu@gmail.com if you would like to attend. Here are the Representatives and their districts:

• Terri Sewell (AL-7) - John Lewis Act sponsor, Deputy Chief Whip
• John Sarbanes (MD-3) - Freedom to Vote Act Sponsor
• Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) - Problem Solvers Caucus Democrat Co-chair
• Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) - Problem Solvers Caucus Republican Co-Chair, sponsor of H.R. 156 and H.R. 157
• Abigail Spanberger (VA-7) - TRUST Act co-sponsor
• Adam Schiff (CA-30) - Judiciary Committee
• Jim McGovern (MA-02) - Rules Committee Ranking Member
• Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8) - House Minority Leader

Record-Breaking Number of Restrictive Voting Laws Introduced

The Brennan Center published its Voting Laws Roundup: February 2023, tracking the bills related to voting and elections introduced or pre-filed as of January 25, 2023. Top line highlights:

• More restrictive voting bills were introduced or pre-filed as of January 25, 2023, compared to last year. (Note that last year’s high number of introduced bills restricting the vote was also higher than the previous year (2021), but by the end of 2022, the number of enacted laws was lower than in 2021.) 
• Most restrictive bills target mail voting, and stiffening voter ID requirements was another common theme. 
• Expansive voting bills (making voting easier) are up from last year at this time but down compared to 2021.
• Among the notable election interference bills introduced, a Texas bill would allow presidential electors to disregard state election results, and a Virginia bill would allow a random selection of residents to void election results. (“Election interference” legislation either increases opportunities for partisan interference in election administration or results or threatens the people and processes that make elections work.)

Defund Hate: National Day Of Action, March 1 (Plus)

• View an Actions and Activities Extract for events on March 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in CO, DC, FL, GA, NJ, and NY
• Collaborate via social media using #DefundHate #CommunitiesNotCages #DHS20
• Join a Livestream @UnitedWeDream on Instagram March 1st, 4:00pmET / 1:00pmPT
• Sign the petition to Congress (also below)
• Call your Senator and Representative (bottom of petition page)
• Join Pablo DeJesus, Executive Director, UUSJ, on March 1st to show solidarity at 5:30pm ET in front of the ICE HQ - 500 12th St., SW Washington, D.C. 20536 during a press conference/rally led by Muslim Counterpublics Lab

Sign the petition to demand Congress cut funding for ICE and CBP and defund hate!

On March 1st, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will commemorate its 20th anniversary since its operations began.  On this day, Detention Watch Network (DWN), of which UUSJ is a member, is leading its coalition of organizations that represent directly impacted immigrant communities, faith leaders, and civil and immigrant rights advocates through its Defund Hate Campaign to highlight that Congress can use the power of the purse. They can reduce funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), agencies that tear apart loved ones and harm our communities, both immigrant and citizens alike. They can divert that funding to welcoming agencies and programs. They should invest in community-based solutions and services.

Members of Congress avoid accountability for the way their funding decisions impact communities. We have the power to change this. The Defund Hate Campaign has already blocked the $15 billion requested by ICE and CBP. Unite with our immigrant families and friends. Contact your members of Congress with Detention Watch Network. 

Make your voice heard. Write Congress by signing the petition HERE

DWN Activists offer an honest critique of the Administration's performance on detention issues in the following Progress Report. 

Articles related to Department of Homeland Security performance:

• Alice Speri, The Intercept, Federal Agents at Protests Renew Calls to Dismantle Homeland Security
• Nick Schwellenback, POGO, Hundreds of Oath Keepers Have Worked for DHS, Leaked List Shows
• Sam Biddle, The Intercept, Department of Homeland Security Can’t Even Secure Its Buildings Against People It Fired
• Michelle Mark, Business insider, Immigration officials were given money for medical care and food for migrants. They spent it on ATVs, dirt bikes, and boats instead.

Migrant Child Labor At Issue 

Child labor today, by David Leonhardt, showcases a Times exposé revealing that young teenagers work long shifts, sometimes for nationally known brands.  What can be done? 

Many of them are immigrants. In response, the Biden Administration Plans Crackdown on Migrant Child Labor, by Hannah Dreier.

Moving Forward On The Afghan Adjustment Act

The Immigration Action Team (IAT) has begun working to encourage members of Congress to support an Afghan Adjustment Act. This act would provide permanent residency for the Afghan refugees who evacuated from Afghanistan in August 2021 and would also set up a task force to assist those Afghans who supported the U.S. mission and are still in Afghanistan. In the 117th Congress, there were bipartisan bills in both the Senate and the House, but they were not passed by the end of 2022. 

The IAT had an initial meeting with Representative Kiggans (R-VA-2) staff and expects to join in other meetings as part of a broad national coalition of organizations urging Congress to pass an Afghan Adjustment Act during the first session of the 118th Congress.

Earth Month Advocacy

In anticipation of Earth Month 2023 and collaboration with UUJEC and association with UUMFE, we have launched an initiative focused on greening our agricultural sector through the Farm Bill. 

You are invited to review the issue Handout, send an online letter, and consider distributing our Action Poster. UUSJ will plan virtual Hill Visits in late April or early May, as staffer schedules allow. 

This follows our participation in the Food Not Feed Summit in February, where U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) compared the Summit to 19th-century suffrage gatherings: “This is a room that reminds me of gatherings like Seneca Falls,” referring to the first women’s rights convention in 1848. “We’re all part of a broken system that’s hurting everyone from farmers to farmworkers, from families and consumers,” he said. 

Review a full recording of the summit, including an address by Sen. Booker.

Farmers For Climate Action: Rally For Resistance
March 7
Register

The Rally for Resilience by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition will unite farmers and farm organizations from all over the country with a united request for their members of Congress–to make climate change policy a priority in the 2023 Farm Bill!

• 11:00am ET Rally with farmer speeches and musical performances, Freedom Plaza
• 1:00 pm March from Freedom Plaza to Capitol Hill

The Willow Project 

Send A Message to Pres. Biden & Bureau of Land Mgmt

On Feb. 1st, the Biden administration took another step towards approving the Willow Master Development Project – a massive oil drilling development in Alaska’s western Arctic that threatens local communities, wildlife, and the global climate.

Willow would completely encircle the local area community by oil development, impact the breeding grounds of caribou, impact subsistence hunting and traditional cultural ways, and represents a HUGE carbon bomb - the largest oil development proposed on public lands.

You are asked to:

• Call the White House: 202-456-1414
• Call the Department of the Interior: 866-834-8040
• The People vs. Fossil Fuels Action Kit provides a script, UUSJ is a member of the coalition

For those near DC, Friday, March 3: Join the #StopWillow rally at 4:00pmET at Lafayette Square, in front of the White House, and/or share with friends in the area, RSVP: bit.ly/StopWillowRally

Train Derailment Response -
Ohio and Pennsylvania Must Take Action!

UUs are asked to sign a petition demanding medical monitoring, independent testing, and transparent public information sharing from Governors DeWine and Shapiro. This can be signed by anyone (not just Ohio or PA residents). 

You can donate to East Palestine, Ohio

Stop Formosa Plastics In The Gulf Coast

UUSJ joined activists in D.C. to protest Formosa Plastics and request President Biden meet with community leader Sharon Lavigne of Rise St. James. Now we are responding to the Rise St. James request to circulate two related petitions. 

The first to President Biden asking him to vacate or revoke Formosa’s wetland permit under the US Army Corps of Engineers. The coalition goal is to get 400,000 joiners to the petition.

The second is directed at JP Morgan Chase, demanding they divest and defund Formosa Plastics. The coalition goal is to get 51,000 joiners to the petition. 

You can join the two related petitions:

• President Biden
• JP Morgan Chase

Stop Cop City

Defend The Atlanta Forest, a movement for the future of South Atlanta, held a Week of Solidarity to Stop Cop City in February. Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights (POWHR) hosted a teach-in on the movement to Stop Cop City and how it relates to the fight to stop the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Stop Cop City Solidarity has a solidarity statement you can join HERE.

Reducing Child Poverty in the United States
Brookings Event
Wednesday, March 1, 1:00pm ET
Register to attend in Washington, D.C., or to watch online.

Ending child poverty remains an economic and moral imperative. Policy changes during the COVID-19 pandemic caused dramatic reductions in child poverty and food insecurity. Still, when the 2022 poverty and food insecurity numbers are released, we expect to see much of these gains reversed.

Child Poverty and Federal Policy

Setting the Record Straight About SNAP Spending and the Upcoming Farm Bill, by Dottie Rosenbaum, Senior Fellow and Director of Federal SNAP Policy

Highlights:

• SNAP is a critical, essential protection against hunger that should be strengthened, not cut
• SNAP’s share of farm bill spending doesn’t affect farm programs.
• SNAP spending has increased in recent years — but for reasons that are critical to SNAP meeting its core purpose, not due to unexpected problems
• CBO’s forecast shows that SNAP spending will fall in the fiscal year 2023 and will not increase over the next decade.
• SNAP supports farmers, the agricultural economy, and rural communities.

Her colleague, Gina Azito Thompson, Research Associate, highlights policy changes to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) that would help black women thrive, as a wise and practical approach to poverty policy, arguing “policymakers should use the “Black Women Best” (BWB) framework to redesign TANF to center the needs of Black women and families. Centering Black women’s aspirations and connection to life goals would be a long-needed departure from TANF’s history of perpetuating racism and exclusionary access by design. Such a redesign would enable TANF to reduce material and financial hardship, improve child outcomes, and better serve families of all races and ethnicities.”

A new report by David Elliot of the Coalition on Human Needs says, As Extra Medicaid Aid Expires, The Number of Uninsured Children Could Double by May 2024

Elaine Maag, Senior Fellow of the Tax Policy Center, shares, Research Breaching The Debt Limit Risks Hurting Children. In a year when child poverty has risen substantially following the expiration of temporary tax benefits, Washington's intransigence over raising the debt ceiling could put children at even greater risk.