Legislative Priorities

Previous Legislative Priorities

Read our report of 2008 Legislative Priorities

Read our report of 2007 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!

• Healthcare

  • Reform U.S. health-care system
    An inclusive, accessible, affordable and accountable health-care system lives out God’s intention for wholeness and abundant life. Everyday, the health of people throughout the U.S. is jeopardized by lack of access or huge gaps in access to health care. 45.7 million people are uninsured in the U.S., and a mounting number are underinsured or have expensive and inadequate health care.
  • Reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)

  Alcohol and Other addictions

  • Pass legislation to curb underage drinking and strictly regulate tobacco
  • Oppose repeal of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act

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

  Contact: Cynthia Abrams

• Read more..

• • Just, humane immigration reform
    Scripture calls us as people of faith to welcome the Sojourner. Common sense tells us that the immigration system is badly in need of reform. This reform must entail a path to citizenship for all undocumented immigrants, protection of the rights of workers, and the reunification of families.
  • Eliminate sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine
  • Abolish torture
  • Fully fund Second Chance Act

  Related topics: Immigration, Criminal and Restorative Justice, and Death Penalty

  Contact: Bill Mefford

• Read more..

• Economic Justice

  • Strengthen the social safety net
    As economic uncertainty grows, we must protect those living on the economic margins, particularly children. GBCS will work to strengthen and expand programs to ensure every child has access to proper nutrition.
  • Prioritize the needs of the poor in budget and tax policies
  • Expand affordable housing opportunities
  • Pass the Employee Free Choice Act

  Environmental Justice

  • Invest in a ‘green-energy’ future
    Responding to our call to be faithful stewards of God’s creation, GBCS supports a transition to green, low-carbon, energy alternatives. Adopting a new energy policy with a strong federal investment in clean alternative energy sources will reduce global warming pollution, generate jobs and lead us toward a sustainable future.
  • Reduce global warming emissions
  • Re-engage in international framework on climate change
  • End mountain-top removal coal mining

  Related topics: Budget and Taxes, Global Warming anad Energy, Labor and Worker Justice, Sustainable Living

  Contact: John Hill

• Read more..

• • Overcome global poverty
    GBCS supports legislation that helps to end global poverty. Foreign aid reform, fair trade, debt cancellation, and major reform of international financial institutions, such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, are instrumental ways the United States can lead to end poverty on God’s world.
  • End the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and promote a peace agreement between Israel and Palestine
  • Promote a nuclear weapons-free world
  • Strengthen multilateral cooperation through reform of the United Nations

  Related topics: Global Poverty and Hunger, Iraq, Middle East, Nuclear Weapons, Peace with Justice, United Nations

  Contact: Mark Harrison or Levi Bautista

• Read more..

• • Increase levels of U.S. spending for international family planning
    One way to bring relief to those who suffer and restore wholeness to humanity is to ensure access to the full range of health services including family planning. Millions of couples around the globe lack such access. With greater access, we can reduce the spread of AIDS, allow couples to space their children, reduce abortions and child and maternal mortality. Advocacy for increased spending on international family planning will include support for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
  • Pass and fund International Violence Against Women’s Act
  • Pass Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act
  • Ensure highest levels of funding for global and domestic AIDS

  Related topics: Family Planning, Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking, HIV/AIDS

  Contact: Linda Bales

• Read more..