United Way scores a big policy victory
The United States Senate just passed the House-version of the federal government funding Continuing Resolution (H.R. 2638 - funding the government until March 2009) by a vote of 78-12. The resolution includes significant funding increases for some of the United Way's highest pubic policy priorities, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). We asked you for your help in getting these increases through the Senate, and you delivered. Your calls to your Senators really made a difference. Thank you!
EFSP and LIHEAP are vital government programs that directly support United Way's goal of reducing the number of families who are financially unstable. United Way of America and its coalition partners have long supported increased funding for EFSP and LIHEAP to meet the needs of struggling families. With the current economic situation, additional funding is more important than ever. Under the Continuing Resolution, EFSP was increased from $153 Million to $200 Million for fiscal year 2009 and LIHEAP funding has been doubled from $2.5 Billion to $5.1 Billion for 2009!
The bill also includes significant increases for disaster relief funding and other United Way supported programs. We'll provide additional information once we've reviewed this comprehensive bill.
The President is expected to sign the resolution into law.
Even though the bill has passed Congress, it's important that your Congressional representatives know you appreciate these major funding increases. We encourage you to contact your Senators and Congressmen to thank them for their support for EFSP and LIHEAP. In addition, please encourage your network of volunteers and supporters to call their two Senators and Congressman.
To view the contact information of your Senators and Congressman, please click on the following link and enter your zip code in the proper field:
http://www.capwiz.com/unitedway/dbq/officials/
Once your Senators' and Congressman's names come up, click on "e-mail" or click on "info", then click on "contact" to find your Senators' Washington office phone numbers.
Tell them:
EFSP and LIHEAP are vital government programs that directly support United Way's goal of reducing the number of families who are financially unstable. United Way of America and its coalition partners have long supported increased funding for EFSP and LIHEAP to meet the needs of struggling families. With the current economic situation, additional funding is more important than ever. Under the Continuing Resolution, EFSP was increased from $153 Million to $200 Million for fiscal year 2009 and LIHEAP funding has been doubled from $2.5 Billion to $5.1 Billion for 2009!
The bill also includes significant increases for disaster relief funding and other United Way supported programs. We'll provide additional information once we've reviewed this comprehensive bill.
The President is expected to sign the resolution into law.
Even though the bill has passed Congress, it's important that your Congressional representatives know you appreciate these major funding increases. We encourage you to contact your Senators and Congressmen to thank them for their support for EFSP and LIHEAP. In addition, please encourage your network of volunteers and supporters to call their two Senators and Congressman.
To view the contact information of your Senators and Congressman, please click on the following link and enter your zip code in the proper field:
http://www.capwiz.com/unitedway/dbq/officials/
Once your Senators' and Congressman's names come up, click on "e-mail" or click on "info", then click on "contact" to find your Senators' Washington office phone numbers.
Tell them:
- Who you are;
- Where you're from;
- Thank them for supporting the EFSP and LIHEAP increases in the Continuing Resolution; and,
- Tell that you're calling for United Way!
Thank you!
