ECLA writes a letter to the U.S.Congress

Faith groups of all sorts are urging members of the U.S. Congress to co-sponsor a bill that will try to streamline international aid.

The latest faith group to contact Congress are the bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In a signed letter sent to all members of Congress, the bishops urge the co-sponsorship of the bill.

From Ekklesia, we learn more of the bill, and the faith groups mobilization.

They want members of Congress to co-sponsor the Initiating Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 2009 (HR 2139). The bipartisan bill is intended to refocus the US government’s global development policies and programmes to make them more effective in addressing poverty and security.

In the letter distributed to the 465-member House of Representatives last week, the bishops said “comprehensive reform is critical in order to more effectively meet the growing needs of those living in extreme poverty while ensuring global security.”

The ELCA is one of a range of faith groups calling on millions of their constituents to urge their U.S. representatives to co-sponsor the bill. Nearly 50 Christian, Jewish and Muslim organizations are working together to issue statements on US international assistance reform.

“Lutheran leaders understand the importance of US foreign [sic] aid because we have seen firsthand how it affects our brothers and sisters in partner churches throughout the world,” said the Rev Peter Rogness, bishop, ELCA St. Paul (Minnesota) Area Synod, and one of the signatories.
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The bill would direct President Barack Obama to develop and implement a comprehensive national strategy for global development, establish new guidelines for monitoring and evaluating US international assistance and increase its transparency.