Call for Compassionate Immigration Reform
Immigration reform has become a major legislative issue in Washington. Some bills seek to remedy long standing problems regarding labor force needs, worker rights, and reunification of families. Others are related to enforcement of borders. The Episcopal Church has strong policies supporting our Gospel mandate to extend hospitality to the stranger and concern for workers and their labor.

The House recently passed HR 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005, immigration reform legislation that focuses solely on the security and enforcement aspects of immigration reform. Among the bill's many provisions is one that may make it unlawful for those who commit acts of compassion�like volunteers in houses of worship�to relieve the plight of an undocumented person by doing something as simple as giving them water or food. Currently, the Senate is considering the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006, introduced by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA). While we support some of its provisions, unfortunately it contains many of the punitive provisions in HR 4437.

Right now, we have a unique opportunity to affect meaningful immigration reform that upholds the just and humane treatment of newcomers while observing appropriate security measures in protecting our nation. The stakes are high � and you have a chance to make a difference. CLICK HERE TO CONTACT YOUR SENATOR.

Support Critical Funding to Fight AIDS
Later this week, the Senate is expected to begin debate on President Bush's FY'07 federal budget. Among the areas of greatest concern in the budget is a cut of more than $200 million made to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The Global Fund is the world's most effective multilateral provider of prevention and treatment services, and is active in more than 130 countries. The funding level provided by the President's Budget -- $300 million total for FY'07 � is less than one-third of what the Fund needs to maintain its current and scheduled future programs. To address this, a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) have introduced an amendment calling for $866 million for the Fund this year, a $566 million increase over the President's request.

CLICK HERE to contact your Senators today and urge them to support the Santorum-Durbin amendment. Sens. Santorum and Durbin helped save the Fund with a similar amendment last year, and the broad grassroots support they received helped make the difference.
*If you live in Tennessee, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Maine, Ohio, Nebraska, Indiana, Alaska, Oregon, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire or Missouri, it is especially important that you take action, as your Senators are key votes for this amendment.