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

Press Release Quaker Lobby Urges Biden to Reengage with Open Skies 

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) urged President-elect Joe Biden to work with the remaining parties of the Open Skies Treaty, an arms control agreement involving Russia, the U.S., and 32 other states, on preserving as many of the security benefits it provides for as possible. The Trump administration announced its intention to pull out of the treaty in May 2020 and that withdrawal took full effect on November 22.

Press Release Quaker Lobby Welcomes Afghanistan Troop Drawdown 

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) welcomed the recent announcement from Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller reducing military personnel in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500 by January 15, 2021.

Press Release Quakers to Lobby for Justice in Policing Act 

Washington, DC – More than 800 advocates from 45 states joined the Quaker lobby, Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), to lobby Congress on passing the Justice in Policing Act (H.R.7120/S.3912) as part of their 76th Annual Meeting and Quaker Public Policy Institute.

Press Release Quaker Lobby Honors Trailblazing Legislators Gillibrand, Haaland 

Washington, DC – Two members of Congress will be honored during the Annual Meeting of the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) November 14-17. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) will be honored with the Edward F. Snyder Award for Peace while Representative Deb Haaland (NM) will be given the FCNL Justice Award.

Press Release Bipartisan Coalition Calls for an End to Iraq War Authorization 

Washington, DC – Today, on the 18th anniversary of the 2002 Authorization for Use of Force Against Iraq (AUMF) becoming law, the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) sent a letter to Congress, signed by a broad, bipartisan coalition of advocacy groups, calling for the law’s repeal. The groups urged the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to preserve in the final version of the annual defense spending bill (the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2021) a House provision to repeal the 2002 Iraq AUMF.

Press Release FCNL Opposes Reduced Refugee Resettlement Number 

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) criticized the recent presidential recommendation of the number of refugees allowed to resettle in the United States for fiscal year 2021. The new number, 15,000 refugees, is nearly 20% lower than FY2020 while the number of refugees worldwide continues to grow rapidly.

Press Release Hunger and Poverty Gains Lost to COVID-19 Pandemic 

Washington, DC – The Census Bureau and Agriculture Department recently released data showing gains were made throughout 2019 in alleviating poverty and hunger in the United States. However, these gains have been lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With both Houses of Congress about to leave for elections, Congress should urgently pass another COVID-19 relief package before hunger and poverty worsen throughout the country.

Press Release Faith Leaders Hold 12-Hour Virtual Prayer Vigil for COVID Relief 

Washington, DC – The Washington Interfaith Staff Community (WISC) and faith leaders from across the United States are holding a virtual 12-hour prayer vigil today to urge Members of Congress to pass a robust COVID relief bill that helps families before leaving Washington, D.C. for the elections. The vigil will be live streamed on the Facebook pages of Friends Committee on National Legislation and Bread for the World.

Press Release FCNL Congratulates House on Savanna’s Act and Not Invisible Act Passage 

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) applauded yesterday’s passage of both Savanna’s Act (H. R. 2733) and the Not Invisible Act of 2019 (H.R.2438) by the full House of Representatives.

Press Release Quaker Lobby Supports Global Peacebuilders’ Call to Re-Commit to Peace 

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) today joined more than 170 peacebuilding organizations in an urgent call to action for global peace. The statement notes crisis responses that increase violence, injustice, and exclusion often worsen development losses and increase human suffering. Therefore, a focus on peace and justice must be at the heart of a global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.