Action Alert from RCUSCA: Refugee Resettlement Funds

[Ithaca Welcomes Refugees]

Hi all, 

We received the following action alert today. Please read to see how you can help prevent Congress from cutting much needed funding for refugee resettlement. (Feel free to share with friends too!)

Action Alert from RCUSA

URGENT ACTION NEEDED: Stop Congress from Cutting Refugee Resettlement Funds

Background: From now until September, Congress is considering funding bills for Fiscal Year 2017 that would drastically cut funds for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and reduce resources to serve refugees resettled in the United States. Resettlement is one of the key ways that the U.S. can lead by example and encourage other countries to help refugees.

President Obama committed to resettling 100,000 refugees in 2017, an increase from 85,000 in 2016. It is critical that even this relatively small increase is met with increased funds to ensure local communities have the resources they need to help refugees integrate and thrive.

These proposed funding cuts would turn our backs on the 100,000 refugees we have pledged to welcome, damage integration efforts, and negatively impact communities that welcome refugees. Please call the below Representatives and Senators, who serve key leadership roles in the appropriations process, as they consider these proposals.

Take Action TODAY: Tell House and Senate Leadership to Increase Refugee Funding

Here’s a sample of what to say: “As Congress considers Fiscal Year 2017 funding, I urge them to increase funding for the Office of Refugee Resettlement and the Migration and Refugee Assistance account to support refugee assistance overseas and refugee resettlement in the United States, over and above last year’s levels. Resettlement in one of the ways the U.S. can lead by example and leverage international support for refugees. My community welcomes refugees, and I urge Congress to increase funding for refugee protection and resettlement.”

Kentucky:

● House Appropriations Chair Harold Rogers (R-KY-5): (202) 225-4601 / @RepHalRogers

● Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY): (202) 224-2541 / @SenateMajLdr


Mississippi: Senate Appropriations Chair Thad Cochran (R-MS): (202) 224-5054 / @SenThadCochran
Missouri: Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO): (202) 224-5721 / @RoyBlunt
Oklahoma: Representative Tom Cole (R-OK-4): (202) 225-6165 / @TomColeOK04
South Carolina: Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC): (202) 224-5972 / @LindseyGrahamSC
Texas: Representative Kay Granger (R-TX-12): (202) 225-5071/ @RepKayGranger
Wisconsin: House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI-1): (202) 225-3031 / @SpeakerRyan

Even if your state is not represented, please call House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell today!

You can also tweet your Senator/Representative:“.@SENATOR/REPRESENTATIVE, show that #AmericaWelcomes by supporting increased funds to resettle #refugees! #RefugeesWelcome”

Please spread the word and send this email to your networks! Follow@RCUSA_DC on Twitter and “like"Refugee Council USA on Facebook for up-to-date alerts.

[John Finnegan]

Thanks for sending this to me.  Suggestion - include the phone numbers for the senate majority leader 202-224-2541 and the house speaker 202-225-0600.  John

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