Statement

The Friends Committee on National Legislation welcomes the announced withdrawal of U.S. military troops from Syria and the reduction of U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

On December 10, 2018, FCNL submitted a comment opposing a proposed rule that would dramatically expand the definition of what it means to be a “public charge.”

Washington, DC – As House and Senate negotiators reportedly are nearing a deal on the farm bill this week, some 400 Quakers and friends lobbied hard to ensure that the final bill includes strong protections for the Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Food Program (SNAP or food stamps).

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) applauded last night’s overwhelming passage of the Global Fragility and Violence Reduction Act (HR 5273) in the House of Representatives. The bill mandates the development of a long-term, government-wide strategy to address fragility and violence in select countries. The bill strengthens American capacity to address the root causes of violence, which are taking an increasingly harsh economic and human toll.

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) today welcomes the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs’ approval of Savanna’s Act (S.1942/H.R.4485). The bill is now in the hands of the full Senate. Savanna’s Act is named after Savanna LaFontaine Greywind, a Dakota woman eight-months pregnant who went missing and was found brutally murdered in August 2017.

Washington, DC - The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) today expressed concern over the denial of press access to the White House and the threat to independent government investigations.

FCNL submitted a statement for the record in response to a Senate hearing on the child welfare standards that have prevented the expansion of family detention.

On August 13, FCNL joined 41 other organizations in sending a letter to Congress articulating their priorities for the upcoming Farm Bill conference.

This week, Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) sent a letter to the administration urging a robust refugee consultation process.

The Trump Administration has been seeking to add a question to the 2020 Census that would ask respondents to indicate whether they are a citizen of the United States or not. The proposed rule would go through the Department of Commerce, and would change how the Census intakes information.