Jubilee in the House!
April 16th, 2008 at 3:05 pm | posted by Virginia SimmonsThe Jubilee Act just passed the House 285-132.
The bill was introduced in the House by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL) in June 2007 and would push for an international agreement to write off United States’ loans to qualified countries and urge the U.S. to work with other rich nations to do the same.
The money poor countries would have had to pay to debt would be directed to infrastructure development, education and health care, among other improvements.
Next step - a Senate vote.
April 16th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
yes! this is wonderful news indeed.
there’s been a great outpouring of appreciation for the grassroots at the Jubilee site. many from ONE and other orgs have called their representatives and it showed. great work everyone!
and now, yup, on to the senate.
stay close (and happy birthday Pope Benedict, this is a gift for you!)
sammi =)
April 16th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Thanks Virginia for posting this update on the Jubilee bill here in the ONE Blog. It’s very much appreciated.
After a long day at work, I must admit this is the best news possible! I have been wondering all day what happened with the vote on this bill. The good news was definitely worth the wait.
My first thought upon hearing this news tonight was not about Pope Benedict but about the hard earned dollars of the American people that we all just got done paying yesterday and of how WELL SPENT THOSE TAX DOLLARS ARE WHEN THEY GO INTO PROGRAMS TO END EXTREME POVERTY in the world or when our Congress forgive the old debts of the world’s poorest countries.
Yes - tax day was hard on me this year. (smile)
Take very good care, everyONE. Blessings - not just for those who kneel.
ALWAYS ONE in the Spirit, debbie
www.mpwn-uganda.org
April 16th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Where can I go to find the voting records? Has the House released them yet?
April 17th, 2008 at 1:03 am
The House roll-call vote is here:
http://clerk.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.asp?year=2008&rollnumber=199
April 17th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Thanks Tom!
April 17th, 2008 at 11:32 am
We were a little afraid here at Jubilee USA when Rep. Diaz-Balart (R-FLA-Naples) made a motion to recommit the bill to committee, which would have killed the bill. There was a very heated debate between Financial Services Committee Chair Barney Frank (D-MA) and Rep. Diaz-Balart and the motion to recommit won.
Then, Rep. Frank stepped up and made a motion to reintroduce the Jubilee Act and vote on its passage with all of the amendments attached, basically stopping any more debate. Pretty much every representative was there because of the previous vote and the Jubilee Act passed 285-132.
You can watch the archive of the vote on CSPAN at http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&products_id=204876-1
The Jubilee Act proceedings start at 1:21(1hr, 21 min) and lasts for a while. The heated debate is past 5:00 or 6:00… I haven’t checked yet.
Thanks for posting the info on the Blog, Ginny!
April 17th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
monet, you all there at the jubilee shop are to be commended on the great great work and keeping us all up to date and in the loop. thanx so much.
the confrontation between congressmen Frank and Diaz-Barart was a little dramatic but groundless, still it can take very little substance to sway a vote one way or another we know. bringing iran and the missiles argument to the floor was groundless and i could think of a dozen other subjects, surely all of us can, that could have been thrown out in opposition, but most seemed in favor. i too caught my breath at the potential of it being sent to committee, what a time-waister that would be! Congressman Frank and others championed the bill from the get-go and is to be commended.
the cork is still on the champaign as we have the senate side to address. i still am hoping to hear the Pope comment on the subject, as many senators are influenced by him as well as us constituents. any idea if he has mentioned it since arriving, or even at all recently?
great day indeed, one step closer. and yes, ginny, thanx for posting this.
stay close,
sammi in seattle =)