CCAR Resolution on "National Priorities," 1974

It is already clear that we will have to fight to enhance our nation¦s commitment to economic justice on many fronts in this Congress. The first battle is over a renewed attempt to rewrite bankruptcy laws to the disproportionate benefit of banks and credit card companies. This effort failed in the 106th Congress after President Clinton refused to sign the legislation. President Bush, however, has indicated his receptiveness to the bill, and the congressional leadership has "fast-tracked" the issue. Bankruptcy reform legislation (S. 220/H.R. 333), sponsored by Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Representative George Gekas (R-PA), would unfairly punish Americans when family crises plunge them into financial hardship. The proposed reforms would disproportionately hurt single mothers raising families as well as African-American and Hispanic families, all of whom are over-represented in bankruptcy. We will continue to oppose this approach to reform that prioritizes creditors over the needs of working families.

Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Representative David Bonior (D-MI) are again championing an increase in the minimum wage. Efforts to raise the wage by $1.00 over two years were thwarted last Congress by disagreements over related tax cuts and the number of years across which to phase in the raise. This Congress, Kennedy and Bonior have proposed a three-year implementation of a $1.50 raise (S. 277/H.R. 665). Even with a $1.50 raise, the minimum wage would be worth nearly $1 less (in today¦s money) than it was worth over 30 years ago, when the wage was $1.60 per hour. No other single measure could do as much for America¦s poor as raising the minimum wage, and we will continue our steadfast support of the wage increase independent of other policy changes.

The true costs of the 1996 Welfare Reform Act are just now coming to light, and we believe that it is vital to reverse some of the most punitive measures, particularly those that unfairly cut off government aid to legal immigrants simply by virtue of their status as non-citizens. Such measures are not in keeping with our American or Jewish traditions of generosity and fairness, and we will fight to reverse them.

We will also seek to expand some proven programs that have helped provide for the less fortunate in our society. We will advocate an increase in funding for the Low Income Heating Assistance Project (LIHEAP), which ensures that low-income families in cold climates can heat their houses through the winter. We will also support a further expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which keeps low-income families from bearing an unfair burden due to payroll taxes.