It has been a busy week in Congress. While the Senate has been focused on the impeachment trial, a Senate Committee also advanced President Biden’s nominees for Secretary of Labor, Mayor Marty Walsh, and Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona. It is expected that their nominations will be taken up on the Senate floor soon after they return from recess the week of February 20.
READ MORE from Reconciliation Needs to Reconcile #Relief4Charities Issues
Office closures and social distancing has not stopped Congress from their ability to conduct their business, nor should it preclude advocates from being able to engage with lawmakers and staff. In fact, it’s more important now that constituents be able to contact elected officials and share the impact that the pandemic is having on individuals, families, communities and employers. Check out these helpful tips on conducting remote advocacy.
The year-end COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress extended a number of programs and supports through the middle of March 2021. Lawmakers are now negotiating the details of an additional relief measure before the deadline expires. Contact your members of Congress and ask that they provide #Relief4Charities.
I didn’t realize the weight of the emotions I have been carrying until the last few moments of President Biden’s inaugural remarks when the floodgates opened and I let out all of my tears. All of the negative feelings related to the pandemic, concern for family and friends battling COVID, living in isolation, the insurrection, social injustice, anxiety for friends living within the military zone established in DC conflated with the pride for our country, the joy of watching history being made, and the hope I have for our future.
READ MORE from Unity Through Opportunity and the Power of Work
On the heels of Inauguration Day, in a city under lockdown that is still reeling from the violence at the Capitol and while a pandemic rages on, President-elect Biden unveiled the details of his “American Rescue Plan”. This is the first of a two-part proposal, the second of which will be released in the coming weeks and will focus on recovery.
READ MORE from President-Elect Biden Unveils American Rescue Plan
Due to the pandemic, I haven’t been on the Hill in several months, as our meetings have been virtual. I watched in horror as the events of January 6 unfolded and an attack was made on our democracy, and the grounds where I’ve stood so many times was under siege.
As I write another plea, asking again for you to take action and tell Congress to provide additional COVID-19 #Relief4Charities, I am reminded of the story of Chicken Little. I feel like the main character who runs around yelling with a sense of urgency that the sky is falling. He does this so often, that no one believes him. This current request for action is not akin to the fable. Unless Congress acts, many supports included in the CARES Act, which have helped nonprofits and the communities and families we serve, will expire in a few short weeks.
READ MORE from Action Alert: Tell Congress Nonprofits Need Relief
Congressional leaders are currently negotiating a year-end package to fund the government, and it will likely include many COVID-19 relief priorities. With provisions from the CARES Act expiring at the end of the month, along with an expected surge in Coronavirus cases, resources will be stretched just when our communities need nonprofits like Goodwill® the most.
READ MORE from Join Our Year-End Appeal for #Relief4Charities
Obviously, 2020 has been a year like no other. As a nation, we have had to manage through a pandemic, impact caused by natural disasters and climate change, and racial injustices. Our services continue to be of great importance to communities, and your support has never mattered more.
Inside the Capital Beltway, there has been a lot of focus in recent days on the year ahead, and understandably so. Newly elected members of the House are in town for orientation, President-elect Biden announced members of his transition team, and attention is being placed on the January 5 election in Georgia that will decide the control of the Senate. However, there is still work to be done this year.
READ MORE from Congress is Still in Session and #Relief4Charities Is Still Needed
At the time of this writing, the results of the elections have not been finalized. While the specific impact the elections will have for the interests of Goodwill®, the people we serve, and the charitable sector as whole is unknown, we can say that there will be an abundance of opportunity to forge new relationships, leverage our expertise and successes in the workforce development arena, and bridge the divide in our country.
I was able to cast my vote last week, as Virginia is one of the 42 states along with the District of Columbia that offers in-person early voting. My polling place was fresh out of “I Voted Early” stickers, so I took a “Future Voter” sticker instead. Probably meant for children, technically I’m a “Future Voter” as well since I’ll surely be voting again in another election.
