Press Release

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.

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.

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.

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) today applauded a pair of letters from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Acting USAID Administrator John Barsa seeking to restore $73 million in suspended humanitarian aid to northern Yemen, where 80% of its people live.

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) reiterates its opposition to the Interior Department’s decision to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil and gas leasing, the first step toward drilling in one of the last pieces of untouched land in the United States.

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on Nation Legislation (FCNL) expressed disappointment over the recently-released global atrocities report from the State Department. The annual report, mandated by the 2018 Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Act, left numerous unanswered questions and completely avoided several vital subjects and trouble spots.

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) appreciates the recognition given to General Secretary Diane Randall as one of the “Faith Leaders to Watch in 2020.” The list of 15 faith leaders was released today by the Center for American Progress (CAP).

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) praised today’s long delayed full House passage of The No BAN Act (H.R. 2214) in a bipartisan 226-171 vote. The bill would repeal the Trump administration’s travel ban against Muslims and prohibit other travel bans based on race or religion.

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) applauded yesterday’s votes in the House Appropriations Committee to adopt three amendments from Representative Barbara Lee (CA-13) to reassert Congress’s constitutional authority over war powers.

Washington, DC – Three Quaker organizations that focus on international policy said today that they oppose the threatened annexation of the West Bank by Israel and called for such plans to be abandoned. Mounting reports indicate that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government could annex the West Bank starting July 1.