Legislative Priorities

The General Board of Church and Society legislative priorities represent the current issues of the day that need to be addressed as they relate to the United Methodist Church's Social Principles. Each priority includes a call to action. Please take a moment to contact your representatives regarding these important issues.

To take action, visit our Action Center today!

Read our report of 2007 Legislative Priorities.

Increase Affordable Housing

As the U.S. housing crisis deepens, GBCS remains committed to creation of the National Housing Trust Fund, which will provide local communities resources to increase housing opportunities for lower income households. GBCS will focus on passage of the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act (s.2523), which is companion legislation to that passed by the House of Representatives last fall.

Contact: John Hill

• End the War in Iraq

  GBCS supports legislation that requires a specific date to remove U.S. military forces from Iraq and leaves no permanent military bases there. GBCS also encourages greater diplomatic and political engagement in the region, and U.S. funding for an economic reconstruction program controlled by the Iraqi people. We also urge financial assistance for U.S. veterans returning from the war.

  Contact: Mark Harrison

• Read more..

• End Global Poverty

  GBCS supports the Global Poverty Act. This bipartisan bill requires the President to develop a strategy to meet the United Nation Millennium Development Goal of cutting poverty in half by 2015.

  Related topics: Global Poverty and Hunger and Sustainable Development

  Contact: Mark Harrison and Levi Bautista

• Read more..

• Give Ex-offenders 2nd Chance

  

  The Second Chance Act (S 1060) is a necessary first step towards reforming the criminal justice system.

  Thank the Congress for Passing the Second Chance Act

  The House and Senate have passed the Second Chance Act, which will provide inmates coming out of prison programs in the areas of housing, employment, and substance abuse and mental health treatment, that you appreciate them taking the needed leadership to pass this significant legislation.

  Contact: Bill Mefford

• Read more..

• Protect Children’s Health

  Children’s health in the U.S. is jeopardized by lack of access to health care and predatory practices of the tobacco and alcohol industries. GBCS will encourage Congress to support three pieces of legislation: H.R. 1108/S.625 that provides regulation of tobacco by the Food and Drug Administration; full funding for the STOP Underage Drinking Prevention Act (Public Law #109-422); and reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

  Related topics: Health Care, Tobacco, Alcohol and Children's Concerns

  Contact: Cynthia Abrams

• Read more..

• Reauthorize the President’s AIDS Plan

  President Bush’s AIDS funding expires at the end of 2008. It must be reauthorized. An estimated $50 billion is needed to continue ongoing work worldwide. The U.S. should pay a “fair share” to support this work. GBCS is collaborating with other faith-based and secular groups to attain the $50 billion needed for prevention and treatment, including the U.S.’s contribution to the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria.

  Contact: Linda Bales

• Read more..

• Reduce Global Warming Pollution

  GBCS supports comprehensive legislation to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. In 2007 Congress increased U.S. fuel efficiency standards. It must now move forward with comprehensive legislation that reduces emissions while protecting the most vulnerable from the impacts of climate change and adverse potential price impacts of it. GBCS supports strengthening the Climate Security Act of 2007 (S. 2191), a bipartisan effort to reduce U.S. global warming pollution.

  Contact: John Hill

• Read more..