Church Blog

Ongoing Debate Over Unemployment Insurance and Payroll Taxes
 
As Congress prepares to wind things down for the end of the year, the House and Senate still had some unfinished business to take care of heading into their final week of work for 2011.
 
Earlier last week, President Obama and the Democrats proposed a plan to extend the expiring payroll tax cut and extend long-term unemployment benefits. The bill, Senate Bill 1944, would have reduced the employee share of the Social Security payroll to tax to 3.1 percent for 2012, and put up for a vote on Thursday afternoon. It failed to receive the requisite votes to break a filibuster.
 
On Friday, Republican leadership released a competing proposal, tying the lowering of the payroll tax – a Democrat priority – with Republican policy preferences, such as the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. The bill would be paid for by savings from programs related to the implementation of the 2010 Affordable Care Act. However, it is unclear if the Republican-sponsored bill would be signed by President Obama, who has vowed to veto a bill with policy riders.
 
The bill will likely be voted on in the House tomorrow, and it remains to be seen whether Senate Democrats will sign on to pass the bill if it does clear the House. Catholic Charities USA will continue to monitor this situation, and encourages you to contact Patrick Brown, Manager, Strategic Initiatives, at PBrown@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org for more information.
 
 
 
Congress Continues to Attempt to Pass “Megabus” Spending Package
 
With the current funding scheduled to expire on December 16, appropriators in Congress are working to not only avoid a government shutdown, but also looking to avoid another Continuing Resolution (CR.) Congress is hoping to fund the government by passing a ‘Megabus’ spending bill that would complete work on the remaining nine overdue spending bills for fiscal year 2012.
 
By passing a ‘Megabus’ on the remaining bills, Congress would avoid another continuing resolution which has become the predominant way the Federal government has been funded in a period of political gridlock. If the conference committee cannot come to an agreement on the Labor-HHS bill (HR 3070), Interior-Environment (HR 2584) and Financial Services (HR 2434) then the only solution would be another CR which would probably run until Congress returns from the Holiday recess after the New Year.
 
The House is aiming to adjourn for the year on December 16, 2011, while the Senate target date is still up in the air. For more information, please contact Ron Jackson, Senior Director, Government Affairs, at RJackson@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
 
 
Register now for 2012 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering
 
Registration is now open for the 2012 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, which will take place on February 12-15, 2012 in Washington, DC. Connect in person with Catholic social ministry leaders from across the United States. Exciting plenary presentations, briefings, workshops, and strategy sessions will focus on Faithful Citizenship and other important topics, and will better prepare you and your colleagues for the challenges and opportunities of the election year. Visit www.USCCB.org for more information, or to complete early registration by December 23, 2011.
 
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Washington Weekly is a publication of the Social Policy Department of Catholic Charities USA
and is published regularly when Congress is in session.