Oct 29th, 2010 2:30 PM UTC
By Ted Brennan
|
With only a few days to go before the 2010 midterm elections, many races across the nation are too close to call. If early voting reports are any guide, indications are that this year’s overall voter turnout may be higher than expected, and therefore every vote will count.
As the assistant director of government affairs at ONE, I know how important it is to have high quality leaders, from both parties, in office. Leaders who not only share our passion for fighting poverty and supporting global health initiatives, but willing to actively work with us to achieve success. If we expect to have the kind of champions we need in Congress, we have to elect them first. This means getting out to vote on November 2. So, don’t sit this one out. Millions of people are counting on you.
To make it easy, we’ve included this handy Google application that helps you find a voting center near you. All you have to do is enter in your zip code:
All American citizens who are 18 years and older have a right to vote and should take advantage of that right on Election Day. Only through the election process can we put leaders into office who are as committed to serving the world’s poorest across the globe as we are at ONE. Tell your family, friends, neighbors and your classmates to vote on November 2.
|
Jul 28th, 2010 9:28 AM UTC
By Ted Brennan
|
Last night Congress voted to keep America’s commitment to Haiti by delivering promised funding that will assist with Haiti’s reconstruction and debt relief. The bill– which thousands of ONE members called on their elected officials to support– cleared when the House passed the measure on a 308 to 114 vote.
Here are some details about what’s included in this bill (HR 4899). It includes $2.8 billion in funding to support critical relief and recovery efforts in Haiti. Specifically, the bill provides $913 million in international security funding and economic assistance for humanitarian relief, reconstruction, law enforcement and peacekeeping initiatives. The bill also includes $465 million for International Disaster Assistance to respond to humanitarian emergencies and funding to cancel existing debts owed by Haiti– which was the focus of ONE’s effort. The bill also supports U.S. Treasury Department programs to strengthen the country’s financial systems and $96.5 million for increased peacekeeping assessments for the U.N. mission in Haiti.
This was a major victory for the people of Haiti. Great job ONE TEAM!
|
Dec 7th, 2009 1:49 PM UTC
By Ted Brennan
|
 On November 23, ONE members delivered a petition to Congressional offices in Washington, DC, asking members of the House of Representatives to sign the Berman-Kirk letter requesting President Obama to support a robust Foreign Affairs budget for Fiscal Year 2011. ONE members from nearly every Congressional district across the country signed on to the petition, totaling more than 30,000 names.
The letter, authored by Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) in the House, was signed by 184 House members as of the deadline last Friday — breaking the record set last year for signers on a similar letter, and surpassing our goal of 170 representatives.
Of the 188 representatives who signed, 108 signatures came in after the petition was delivered, demonstrating the strength of the ONE’s advocacy efforts.
The companion letter in the Senate, authored by Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Richard Lugar (R-IN), also earned 57 signatures thanks in part to phone calls from ONE members to their senators. You can see the full list of signers here.
The U.S. Global Leadership Council, ONE’s partner in this campaign, credits ONE’s effort with the letter’s success. Tod Preston, Director of Government Affairs at USGLC, said, “ONE has been a tremendous resource in mobilizing congressional support for the International Affairs Budget. Their grassroots’ reach across the country and on both sides of the aisle has been invaluable.”
Thanks to the petition signers, our volunteers, and the dedicated interns and staff at ONE for their parts in making this effort the success it is.
|
