Having been unable to finish the FY 2017 appropriations before October 1, Congress left town after approving a short-term continuing resolution (CR) through December 9, 2016. Now congressional leaders are seriously considering another CR—through March 2017. If this is how they proceed then the 2017 fiscal year will be half over before federal agencies truly know what their real funding levels will be for rest of the fiscal year…and it will make Congress look like a bunch of turkeys.
Requiring federal agencies to operate under long term CRs wreaks havoc with programs, grants, and contracts from the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security, which protect us from outside threats, to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor that serve those who have fought for our country and those struggling to find work. This is no way to run a railroad.
For Goodwill® this means grants might be delayed, grants that help us serve veterans, youth, those who are unemployed and those returning to society from incarceration and looking for work. In 2015, nearly two million people worked to build their career and financial assets by engaging with Goodwill team members.
In addition, more than 35 million people used computers and mobile devices to access Goodwill education, training, mentoring and online learning services to strengthen their skills. Goodwill connected more than 312,000 people with jobs and employed another 128,000. Also, more than 42,000 people engaged with local Goodwill organizations to earn a credential and, as a result, these individuals increased their collective lifetime earnings by more than $14.2 billion.
Contact your US Representatives and Senators at the links below and tell them not to be a bunch of turkeys; finish the FY 2017 appropriations bill this year, and support Goodwill’s efforts on behalf of all who are looking for good jobs and a better quality of life.
Public supporters and Goodwill staff click here.
Goodwill CEOs click here.
