Click on the links below for your state’s alert:
- Connecticut
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New York
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Background: Congress is proposing funding bills for Fiscal Year 2017 that would flatline refugee resettlement funding at last year’s levels. President Obama committed to resettling 110,000 refugees in 2017, in contrast to the 75,000 planned for in the 2016 budget. As we are facing the worst displacement crisis in recorded history, resettlement is one of the key ways that the U.S. can lead by example and encourage other countries to help refugees. It is critical that this increase in refugee admissions is met with increased funds to ensure local communities have the resources they need to help refugees integrate and thrive.
These proposed flat funding levels would turn our backs on the 110,000 refugees we have pledged to welcome, damage integration efforts, and negatively impact communities that welcome refugees. Please call the below Representatives and Senators, who serve key leadership roles in the appropriations process, as they consider these proposals.
Take Action TODAY: Tell House and Senate Leadership to Increase Refugee Funding
Here’s a sample of what to say: “As Congress considers Fiscal Year 2017 funding, I urge them to increase resources for the Office of Refugee Resettlement and the Migration and Refugee Assistance accounts to increase refugee assistance overseas and refugee resettlement in the United States, over and above last year’s levels. Resettlement in one of the ways the U.S. can lead by example and leverage international support for refugees. My community welcomes refugees, and I urge Congress to increase funding for refugee protection and resettlement.”
Connecticut: Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-3): (202) 225-3661 / @rosadelauro
Kentucky:
- House Appropriations Chair Harold Rogers (R-KY-5): (202) 225-4601 / @RepHalRogers
- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY): (202) 224-2541 / @SenateMajLdr
Maryland: Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD): (202) 224-4654 / @SenatorBarb
Mississippi: Senate Appropriations Chair Thad Cochran (R-MS): (202) 224-5054 / @SenThadCochran
Missouri: Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO): (202) 224-5721 / @RoyBlunt
New York: Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY-17): (202) 225-6506 / @NitaLowey
Oklahoma: Representative Tom Cole (R-OK-4): (202) 225-6165 / @TomColeOK04
South Carolina: Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC): (202) 224-5972 / @LindseyGrahamSC
Texas: Representative Kay Granger (R-TX-12): (202) 225-5071/ @RepKayGranger
Vermont: Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT): (202) 224-4242 / @SenatorLeahy
Washington: Senator Patty Murray (D-WA): (202) 224-2621 / @PattyMurray
Wisconsin: House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI-1): (202) 225-3031 / @SpeakerRyan
You can also tweet your Senator/Representative: “.@SENATOR/REPRESENTATIVE, show that #AmericaWelcomes by supporting increased funds to resettle #refugees! #RefugeesWelcome”
Please spread the word and send this email to your networks! Follow @RCUSA_DC on Twitter and “like” Refugee Council USA on Facebook for up-to-date alerts.