Timothy McHugh

Director of Media Relations

Tim McHugh

Tim leads organizational efforts to communicate about issues, victories, priorities, and updates through all available news channels – specifically the major media outlets. He is responsible for providing FCNL staff with opportunities to convey our message – in print and through the airways – to the public and throughout the country. He keeps FCNL issues and staff on the collective radars of reporters and journalists nationwide. Lastly, he runs FCNL several media-focused social media channels.

Tim joined FCNL in the spring of 2018. He has been working in Washington on environmental policy-based communications and issue advocacy for over 15 years.

Articles by Timothy McHugh

Statement Our Federal Government Brings Back Capital Punishment 

On July 25, Attorney General William Barr announced that the federal government will start carrying out death sentences for the first time in nearly two decades by ordering the executions of five inmates. FCNL opposes this action and believes the death penalty should be abolished in all jurisdictions.

Press Release Christian Leaders Call for a 2020 Budget that Invests in Families  

Washington, DC – Christian leaders with the Circle of Protection today released the following statement on the 2020 budget:

Press Release House Votes to End War with Iraq, Prevent War with Iran 

Washington, DC - The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) applauded today’s House votes repealing the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq (2002 AUMF) and preventing a new unauthorized war with Iran.

Press Release PRESS ADVISORY: Faith Leaders Call for Diplomacy, Not War, With Iran 

Christian leaders release unprecedented statement in response to the growing threat of war with Iran

Washington, DC – On Tuesday, July 9, national faith leaders will convene on Capitol Hill to speak out against a morally and religiously indefensible war with Iran. Amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, speakers will call on all Christian leaders, theologians, clergy, and laypersons to choose peace over more war. The speakers will also call on legislators to support an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to ensure the president cannot take unauthorized unilateral military action in or against Iran.

Press Release Quaker Lobby Applauds Senate Vote to Prevent War with Iran 

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) celebrated today’s Senate action on Iran, which saw a bipartisan majority vote of 50-40, to block President Trump from attacking Iran without prior congressional authorization. Although the amendment, sponsored by Senators Tom Udall (NM) and Tim Kaine (VA), did not meet the 60-vote threshold required for inclusion in the defense policy bill, it sent a strong message that the Senate will not stand idly by while the president leads the country into yet another devastating Middle East war.

Press Release Quaker Lobby Applauds Supreme Court’s Census Verdict  

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), the Quaker lobby, applauds the Supreme Court’s ruling this morning that the administration did not provide adequate justification to include a question on citizenship in the 2020 census.

Press Release FCNL Supports Humanitarian Crisis Funding, Not Enforcement 

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) expressed concern today that the House of Representatives’ emergency spending package, currently projected at $4.5 billion, could be used to enhance enforcement and detention rather than humanitarian assistance. Recent reports from border detention facilities have documented cases of children without diapers, soap, medical supplies, and access to showers. In several cases, it was up to older children to take care of the younger children, all without proper adult supervision.

Press Release Senate Rebuffs President’s “End-Run” on Saudi Arms Sales 

Washington, DC - The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) hails today’s Senate vote to reject the $8 billion arms sale package to Saudi Arabia and other countries that the Trump administration sought to push through without congressional oversight and approval. By a vote of 53 to 45, the Senate disapproved the sale of bombs of the type that have been used in Saudi attacks against Yemeni civilians.

Press Release House Votes to Repeal Authorization for Use of Military Force 

Washington, DC – The House of Representatives voted today to repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF). Presidents have used the AUMF to justify never-ending wars that lack Congressional approval.

Press Release House Votes to Provide Undocumented Immigrants a Pathway to Citizenship 

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) praised the House of Representatives for passing the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6) with bipartisan support. The bill is one of the largest legalization efforts for Dreamers and other groups of undocumented immigrants to date.