The Role of The Salvation Army at the Federal Level

Overview Public Policy Focus Areas: Housing Hunger and Nutrition Vulnerable Populations

Job 29:12-17 (ESV) 12 because I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him. 13 The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. 14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. 15 I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. 16 I was a father to the needy, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know. 17 I broke the fangs of the unrighteous and made him drop his prey from his teeth. “It is better to keep a man out of the mire than to let him fall in first and then risk the chance of plucking him out.” General William Booth

The Salvation Army National Headquarters Public Policy Priorities

How we do it Our Strategy Identify: Areas of focus Target: House and Senate Join: Faith and non faith based coalitions Goal: Educate, Inform, Influence

The Dos and Don’ts of Nonprofit Advocacy ActivitiesPermittedNot Permitted Encourage members and non-members to write letters X Meet with/speak with policymakers about legislation X Testify at public hearings X Provide research, analysis and commentary X Publicly endorse or oppose specific legislation X Invite a policymaker to visit X Raise funds for candidates X Publicly support or oppose candidates X Use federal funds to lobby (some exceptions apply) X Use private "non-earmarked" funds to advocacy X

Housing Areas of Focus:Coalitions/Think Tanks: Bill:Goal:Status: HUD’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) provides formula grants to States and localities that communities. National Council of State Housing Authorities, National Alliance to End Homelessness, and National League of Cities, etc. The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2016 Sign into law For FY 2017: urge support for appropriation at least $1.2 billion Signed into law with $950 million at level funding. Pending appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee (THUD) National Low Income Housing Coalition, plus over 2100 co-signers 302b AllocationsUrge Congress to provide the highest possible amount for funding in FY 2017 Pending allocations’ announcement Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) assists very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market Center for Budget Policy and Priorities The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2016 Sign into law increase of new housing vouchers. For FY 2017: urge renewal of vouchers and provide $88 million for 10,000 new vouchers. Signed into law with slight increase for renewals. Pending appropriations. Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) is administered by the Center for Mental Health Services within HHS. National Alliance to End Homelessness and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2016 Sign into law level funding of $65 million for FY Signed into law with level funding of $65 million.

Hunger and Nutrition

Areas of FocusCoalitions/Think Tanks BillGoal:Result: Child Nutrition Reauthorization Food Research Action Center (FRAC) The Improving Child Nutrition Integrity and Access Act ExtensionThe Senate Agriculture Committee released its reauthorization bill in January 2016-House bill is pending SNAP benefits for able bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) end April 1st FNS/USDA FRAC CBPP SNAP Work Opportunities and Veteran Protection Act Preserve access to SNAP benefits for certain jobless ABAWDs who are seeking work but who are not selected for a state job training or workfare program Pending-Has been referred to the Ag Committee Emergency Food and Shelter Program Transfer (FEM to HUD) American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, The Jewish Federations of North America, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, The Salvation Army and United Way Worldwide HUD is requesting the transfer of the administration of the Emergency Food and Shelter program from the Department of Homeland Security DO NO HARMPending Poverty reduction efforts with the Senate and House Ag, Ways and Means, and Judiciary Committees TSA Social Services Department FY2017 Budget Process (September 2017) Educate Members of Congress on the positive impact that TSA has on reducing poverty Judciary Sentencing Reform/Paul Ryan Anti Poverty Goals

Vulnerable Populations Areas of FocusCoalitions/Think Tanks BillGoal:Result: EITC & CTCDHN, CHN &CBPPH.R. 2029, which combined the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 and the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of PermanenceSigned into law (Dec 2015) Older AdultsNCOA &ASAOlder Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2015 ExtensionPassed by Congress with unanimous, bipartisan support. It should be signed by the President in April Medicare and MedicaidWISCHR 3590 The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Signed into law (Oct 2010) Charitable GivingIndependent SectorProtecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of PermanenceSigned into law Dec 2015

Vulnerable Populations Areas of FocusCoalitions/Think Tanks BillGoal:Status: Criminal Justice ReformWISC Sentencing Reform Act (H.R. 3713), Corrections and Recidivism Reduction Act (H.R. 759) and Second Chance Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3406) Sign into lawA committee has issued a report to the full chamber recommending that these bills be considered further. Heroin and Opioids Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) Sign into law Pending (passed Senate) Child Poverty Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2015 (HR 2408). Sign into law Introduced (1st step) Day care centers Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act of 2014 Re-authorizationSigned into law

Conclusion Policy makers want to hear from you!

Questions