Things have been busy with the Pilot Cities Project here in Cedar Rapids. Last Tuesday I had a meeting with the Rev. Jonathan Offt of Trinity Lutheran to talk about RESULTS and the working poor. Trinity has 40 families who were flooded. I didn't get a definite yes, but there was certainly interest in what RESULTS could do for people. On Friday I met with the Rev. Christopher Pedasky of Immaculate Conception about the Hispanic community that worships there. He wanted more brochures so he could put them out and see if people picked them up. I took him 10 brochures in English and 10 in Spanish. I will check back with both spiritual leaders in two weeks to follow up.
I just got back from a meeting with Rabbi Aaron Sherman at Temple Judah. He is very interested in members of Temple joining the Cedar Rapids RESULTS group. We're thinking of doing the informational meeting sometime in September around the High Holy Days.
On another note, I will be talking about my two years of being uninsured while I was unemployed and waiting for my disability hearing at the meeting with Senator Harkin's aide, Janelle. The topic is healthcare and we want the Senator to lead the charge in the Senate for a single-payer healthcare bill.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Domestic Call August 7
I reported to Douglas Lichterman, our Regional Coordinator, that I would make two contacts for the RESULTS Diversity Task Force by August 20 -- Rabbi Aaron Sherman of Temple Judah and Fr. Nils Hernandez of Immaculate Conception. I also reported about our opportunity with STEP students from Cornell and Douglas suggested I get an outline from Meredith Dodson of the Washington RESULTS office. Meredith is on vacation right now, so next week I'll email her and see what resources she can share.
Douglas talked about the August recess and the importance of getting meetings with members of Congress. I explained that Jos had suggested we meet with Loebsack here in Cedar Rapids before the end of the year, and that so many people were on vacation this month that we'd skip the August recess opportunity and shoot for something in the fall.
A young woman brought her fiance home to meet her parents. They gave a fancy dinner to meet the young man and after dinner, the father asked to talk to the finance privately. He asked what the young man did for a living and how he planned to support his daughter. The young man said, "I study the Torah." The father asked what plans the young man had for a house for her daughter to live in. "I will study the Torah and God will provide." So the father asked about a ring for his daughter. Again the young man said, "I will study the Torah and God will provide." Finally, the father asked about children and how the young man intended to support a family. "I will study the Torah, and God will provide." The father ended the meeting cordially and later spoke to the young woman's mother. "The bad news is he has no job and no plans for a job. The good news is he thinks I'm God."
Douglas talked about the August recess and the importance of getting meetings with members of Congress. I explained that Jos had suggested we meet with Loebsack here in Cedar Rapids before the end of the year, and that so many people were on vacation this month that we'd skip the August recess opportunity and shoot for something in the fall.
A young woman brought her fiance home to meet her parents. They gave a fancy dinner to meet the young man and after dinner, the father asked to talk to the finance privately. He asked what the young man did for a living and how he planned to support his daughter. The young man said, "I study the Torah." The father asked what plans the young man had for a house for her daughter to live in. "I will study the Torah and God will provide." So the father asked about a ring for his daughter. Again the young man said, "I will study the Torah and God will provide." Finally, the father asked about children and how the young man intended to support a family. "I will study the Torah, and God will provide." The father ended the meeting cordially and later spoke to the young woman's mother. "The bad news is he has no job and no plans for a job. The good news is he thinks I'm God."
Global Call August 6
Because of the August Recess it seems I was the only one on the call with our Regional Coordinator Allison Gallaher. We talked about the request we've had from Crickett Nicovich of the RESULTS Washington office to help the STEP program at Cornell. STEP is a group of students committed to ending poverty. They do a lot of project work and are looking for training in advocacy -- and the Cedar Rapids RESULTS group was recommended to them for this training. It will start once students return in late August. They would like to help with our projects in return for the training, so I was thinking they might like to help with the November bread buttering.
Then Allison and I talked about the RESULTS Diversity Task Force. Since Monica Jolles in Chapel Hill, NC is also going to head up a Pilot City Project program, Allison suggested Monica and I develop a support network for the two cities and report back to the task force. I've made the commitment to contact two more communities of color by our next Diversity Task Force call on August 20.
Jeffrey Sachs, economist, will speak on foreign aid reform on the monthly conference call this Saturday. Election cycle items will also be featured.
Then Allison and I talked about the RESULTS Diversity Task Force. Since Monica Jolles in Chapel Hill, NC is also going to head up a Pilot City Project program, Allison suggested Monica and I develop a support network for the two cities and report back to the task force. I've made the commitment to contact two more communities of color by our next Diversity Task Force call on August 20.
Jeffrey Sachs, economist, will speak on foreign aid reform on the monthly conference call this Saturday. Election cycle items will also be featured.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Domestic call July 31
Douglas is going to start us on a new regimen. Each month we will work on one way to make our groups stronger. This is going to be tough for me, as I think our group is already mighty strong! But I will do my best on this task.
Senator Grassley voted against S. 3335, the $8500 threshold for the Child Tax Credit. Since we won't be "officially" meeting in August to take action (except for training Leland and Nancy), let's make this our August action: call Senator Grassley's office, using the laser talk below if you like, some time during the August recess. His Washington number is 202-224-3744. Ask to talk to Ryan Abraham. Or call his Cedar Rapids office at 363-6832 and ask to talk to Mary.
"Senator, I am very disappointed that you did not vote for H.R.6049 orS.3335, the House and Senate tax extenders bills. These bills both include a Child Tax Credit provision which sets the income eligibility threshold at $8,500 for 2008, which will benefit 13 million children in this country and 100,000 Iowa children. When families are struggling with rising food and gas prices, there is no excuse for delay on this issue. I expect you to pass a responsible tax extenders bill in September that includes an $8,500 threshold for the Child Tax Credit."
Douglas always ends our call with a joke. This week it was a story about a man with a hamster. He took the hamster to the vet because the little pet was lethargic. The vet examined the hamster and said, "I'm sorry, sir. Your hamster is dead." The man was astonished at this. He said, "I want a second opinion." So the vet opened the door and brought in a dog from the hallway. The large, black dog sniffed the hamster and poked it with its nose and looked up at the vet and just shook its head. The vet told the man, "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, sir, but your hamster is dead." The man said, "There's no way this hamster is dead. I want another opinion. So the vet opened the door and in walked a cat, who looked shook it's little head. The vet looked at the man and said, "Again, sir, I'm sorry. Your hamster is dead. And here is today's bill."
The man looked at the bill. It was for $1000. The man cried out, "How in the world can you charge me $1000 just to tell me my hamster is dead?"
"Well," said the vet, "there's my examination and diagnosis, plus the Lab report, plus the CAT scan."
Senator Grassley voted against S. 3335, the $8500 threshold for the Child Tax Credit. Since we won't be "officially" meeting in August to take action (except for training Leland and Nancy), let's make this our August action: call Senator Grassley's office, using the laser talk below if you like, some time during the August recess. His Washington number is 202-224-3744. Ask to talk to Ryan Abraham. Or call his Cedar Rapids office at 363-6832 and ask to talk to Mary.
"Senator, I am very disappointed that you did not vote for H.R.6049 orS.3335, the House and Senate tax extenders bills. These bills both include a Child Tax Credit provision which sets the income eligibility threshold at $8,500 for 2008, which will benefit 13 million children in this country and 100,000 Iowa children. When families are struggling with rising food and gas prices, there is no excuse for delay on this issue. I expect you to pass a responsible tax extenders bill in September that includes an $8,500 threshold for the Child Tax Credit."
Douglas always ends our call with a joke. This week it was a story about a man with a hamster. He took the hamster to the vet because the little pet was lethargic. The vet examined the hamster and said, "I'm sorry, sir. Your hamster is dead." The man was astonished at this. He said, "I want a second opinion." So the vet opened the door and brought in a dog from the hallway. The large, black dog sniffed the hamster and poked it with its nose and looked up at the vet and just shook its head. The vet told the man, "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, sir, but your hamster is dead." The man said, "There's no way this hamster is dead. I want another opinion. So the vet opened the door and in walked a cat, who looked shook it's little head. The vet looked at the man and said, "Again, sir, I'm sorry. Your hamster is dead. And here is today's bill."
The man looked at the bill. It was for $1000. The man cried out, "How in the world can you charge me $1000 just to tell me my hamster is dead?"
"Well," said the vet, "there's my examination and diagnosis, plus the Lab report, plus the CAT scan."
Diversity Task Force conference call July 30
INTRODUCTIONS: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE DEBRIEF
Betsy (Miami): Diversity Task Force moved forward exponentially in last month. Asked for update from board, no response yet (but Betsy lobbied him between FL lobby visits). Surprised that more folks didn't sign up. Kudos to Lorna for moderating. Impressed with diversity of Canadian attendees.
Monica (Durham NC): people want training materials and specific strategies when group doesn't represent.
Jesus (DC area): Task Force initially had broad focus, now streamlined to 4-5 initiatives and marshalled resources. NGO exhibit fair-- would benefit from more visual display materials for tabling at other org's conferences (MD reviewed what we have). thanks to Meredy for coordinating translators.
Meredith (DC): liked having tangible materials, looked coordinated and professional. Need to follow up with those who expressed interest, inc Ruth Birchett
Diane (Cedar Rapids): very excited to be pilot city, she's adapting Faith in Action materials for Native American audiences. Need help with training materials: Hindu, Moslem, Catholic (in Spanish)-- so asking local contacts for help developing culturally/spiritually appropriate.
Sarah (DC): inspiring to see people in person, got excited about pilot project.
INCREASE VISIBILTY
web presence- get diversity section of our website (link to info from homepage, About Us)- then get "diversity" in Google Adwords
SURVEY OF RESULTS NETWORK
Combine with survey that marketing committee would roll out to our network?- Jesus will follow up with Scott re: status (and incorp diversity into marketing)Draft series of questions (consult marketing survey of general population) to use for combined or separate survey- send out within 2-3 months- Monica will circulate draft questions for feedback.
LONG-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS AND BOARD RESPONSE
Betsy will follow up with Douglas Lichterman- board discussion for our 5 recs (notes pasted below)? If not, when?- request: issue board statement demonstrating support- also need Joanne statement
PILOT PROJECT
See above for Cedar Rapids
Chapel Hill group: group mtg Tue 8/5 and will adapt Cedar Rapids' plan
NEXT STEPS/CALL= Wed August 20 8:30-9:30 pm ET: (888) 955-5369; passcode: 197427
Looking ahead: 9/15-10/15 Hispanic Heritage month
BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS (MD notes from June):
1. Diversity/anti-oppression training-- 2-stage plan
A. identify people from specific regions amongst our groups to be a part of a leadership ("SWAT") team for 2-day training
B. they are then responsible for leading trainings in their own region including travel to local groups ** budget: $25,000 ($15,000 for travel/room/board for 15 participants + $5000 for trainer fees + $5000 for local travel). Note: does NOT include any staff time (though can use college interns for credit), limited funds for travel to local groups)
2. Diversity assessment of own organization (Meredy)- for grassroots baseline: could roll into survey envisioned by marketing committee post-conference - also identify baseline re: board, staff, etc.- then identify next steps and make specific recommendations (Meredith: include goals)** budget: $50,000 (guess, Sarah will research specific number)
3. Develop set of materials and best practices for our groups to use in their own outreach (Betsy)- build on the work done by Betsy and others already to compile possible partners- have specific staff time (or additional staff resources) devoted to managing this** budget: TBD, must inc staff time, materials (Niambi will research)
4. As Marketing Committee moves forward, ultimately "re-brands" organization, make diversity issues a key component (Betsy)- ex. on our website** budget: none (absorbed by marketing)
5. Taking diversity to policy level in organization - institutionally support diversity through board policies (Sarah)- then reflected in our work across organization- QUESTION: what has the Board already adopted vis-à-vis diversity? If not, what are next steps to make this happen? ** budget: $1000 for legal review
Betsy (Miami): Diversity Task Force moved forward exponentially in last month. Asked for update from board, no response yet (but Betsy lobbied him between FL lobby visits). Surprised that more folks didn't sign up. Kudos to Lorna for moderating. Impressed with diversity of Canadian attendees.
Monica (Durham NC): people want training materials and specific strategies when group doesn't represent.
Jesus (DC area): Task Force initially had broad focus, now streamlined to 4-5 initiatives and marshalled resources. NGO exhibit fair-- would benefit from more visual display materials for tabling at other org's conferences (MD reviewed what we have). thanks to Meredy for coordinating translators.
Meredith (DC): liked having tangible materials, looked coordinated and professional. Need to follow up with those who expressed interest, inc Ruth Birchett
Diane (Cedar Rapids): very excited to be pilot city, she's adapting Faith in Action materials for Native American audiences. Need help with training materials: Hindu, Moslem, Catholic (in Spanish)-- so asking local contacts for help developing culturally/spiritually appropriate.
Sarah (DC): inspiring to see people in person, got excited about pilot project.
INCREASE VISIBILTY
web presence- get diversity section of our website (link to info from homepage, About Us)- then get "diversity" in Google Adwords
SURVEY OF RESULTS NETWORK
Combine with survey that marketing committee would roll out to our network?- Jesus will follow up with Scott re: status (and incorp diversity into marketing)Draft series of questions (consult marketing survey of general population) to use for combined or separate survey- send out within 2-3 months- Monica will circulate draft questions for feedback.
LONG-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS AND BOARD RESPONSE
Betsy will follow up with Douglas Lichterman- board discussion for our 5 recs (notes pasted below)? If not, when?- request: issue board statement demonstrating support- also need Joanne statement
PILOT PROJECT
See above for Cedar Rapids
Chapel Hill group: group mtg Tue 8/5 and will adapt Cedar Rapids' plan
NEXT STEPS/CALL= Wed August 20 8:30-9:30 pm ET: (888) 955-5369; passcode: 197427
Looking ahead: 9/15-10/15 Hispanic Heritage month
BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS (MD notes from June):
1. Diversity/anti-oppression training-- 2-stage plan
A. identify people from specific regions amongst our groups to be a part of a leadership ("SWAT") team for 2-day training
B. they are then responsible for leading trainings in their own region including travel to local groups ** budget: $25,000 ($15,000 for travel/room/board for 15 participants + $5000 for trainer fees + $5000 for local travel). Note: does NOT include any staff time (though can use college interns for credit), limited funds for travel to local groups)
2. Diversity assessment of own organization (Meredy)- for grassroots baseline: could roll into survey envisioned by marketing committee post-conference - also identify baseline re: board, staff, etc.- then identify next steps and make specific recommendations (Meredith: include goals)** budget: $50,000 (guess, Sarah will research specific number)
3. Develop set of materials and best practices for our groups to use in their own outreach (Betsy)- build on the work done by Betsy and others already to compile possible partners- have specific staff time (or additional staff resources) devoted to managing this** budget: TBD, must inc staff time, materials (Niambi will research)
4. As Marketing Committee moves forward, ultimately "re-brands" organization, make diversity issues a key component (Betsy)- ex. on our website** budget: none (absorbed by marketing)
5. Taking diversity to policy level in organization - institutionally support diversity through board policies (Sarah)- then reflected in our work across organization- QUESTION: what has the Board already adopted vis-à-vis diversity? If not, what are next steps to make this happen? ** budget: $1000 for legal review
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Domestic Call July 24
We had the full complement of group leaders on the call today -- Lois from Baltimore, Tom from Des Moines, Paul from Minneapolis, Douglas, our beloved regional coordinator from St. Petersburg, and me.
We didn't talk about legislative news, but caught up on news from the four groups. Everyone is excited about Nancy joining our group. She will be on the conference call this Saturday. Tom is the only group leader on this call who wasn't in DC, so after last year not going, I had a sense for how left out he must have felt with all the talk about the conference.
Ours is the largest and seemingly most active group, so you can be proud of that. And I sent all my follow-up emails today after the lobbying meetings. So I can cross that off my list.
No news yet on Congress resolving the income minimum for the Child Tax Credit. TheHouse has it at $8500; the Senate at $10000. And no news yet on the Healthcare Disparities Bill that would seek to equalize healthcare access across racial and ethnic lines.
We didn't talk about legislative news, but caught up on news from the four groups. Everyone is excited about Nancy joining our group. She will be on the conference call this Saturday. Tom is the only group leader on this call who wasn't in DC, so after last year not going, I had a sense for how left out he must have felt with all the talk about the conference.
Ours is the largest and seemingly most active group, so you can be proud of that. And I sent all my follow-up emails today after the lobbying meetings. So I can cross that off my list.
No news yet on Congress resolving the income minimum for the Child Tax Credit. TheHouse has it at $8500; the Senate at $10000. And no news yet on the Healthcare Disparities Bill that would seek to equalize healthcare access across racial and ethnic lines.
July 23
I talked to Allison, our global Regional Coordinator, on Tuesday rather than Wednesday this week because there was a possibility of a conflict with a Diversity Task Force call on Wednesday. As it turned out, the Diversity Task Force conflict is going to be next Wednesday, when I also have a conflict with an Inter-Religious Council meeting on Flood Recovery. I think, since I update the Churches United Flood Recovery web site, that I am going to miss the IRC meeting and be on the DTF call.
PEPFAR Bill:
The Lantos-Hyde HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Reauthorization Act passed the Senate 80-16 with one amendment: rather than $50B, $2B will be directed toward clean water and healthcare for Native American Reservations. Allison thought that money could have been done through a different bill. For me, I'm just glad we have a bill coming out of the Senate! And $2B for health on reservations is a worthy cause. The House is expected to pass the Senate bill and then it will go to the President for his signature. This is a huge increase, and one we should celebrate.
August Congressional Recess:
We need to stay in touch with aides during this time as they will be in contact with our members of Congress during the recess.
Jeff Sachs on Global Conference Call August 9:
Jeff Sachs is an economist who has been at Harvard and is currently with the Columbia Earth Institute. He is an expert in the economics of poverty. This call should be exciting! I have reserved the Library at Christ Church for the domestic and global calls both.
PEPFAR Bill:
The Lantos-Hyde HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Reauthorization Act passed the Senate 80-16 with one amendment: rather than $50B, $2B will be directed toward clean water and healthcare for Native American Reservations. Allison thought that money could have been done through a different bill. For me, I'm just glad we have a bill coming out of the Senate! And $2B for health on reservations is a worthy cause. The House is expected to pass the Senate bill and then it will go to the President for his signature. This is a huge increase, and one we should celebrate.
August Congressional Recess:
We need to stay in touch with aides during this time as they will be in contact with our members of Congress during the recess.
Jeff Sachs on Global Conference Call August 9:
Jeff Sachs is an economist who has been at Harvard and is currently with the Columbia Earth Institute. He is an expert in the economics of poverty. This call should be exciting! I have reserved the Library at Christ Church for the domestic and global calls both.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
July 15
Today was Day One of Lobby Day. Jos and I had four appointments and were called in to help on a fifth.
The day started with a breakfast in the Dirksen Senate Office Building. It was a hot breakfast buffet and the Senator from Wyoming -- I don't remember his name -- spoke. It was inspiring. He told stories that were straight from the RESULTS teachings on using stories effectively.
The it was into a cab and off to the House Offices side of the Hill. Our first appointment was at 11, in Congressman Loebsack's office. He had been called out to a meeting, so we met with his Legislative Aide, Megan Linn. I started out the meeting by asking her to thank the Congressman for coming to Cedar Rapids during the flood and for serving meals for the Red Cross over the 4th of July. She seemed genuinely grateful for the acknowledgement. I talked about the need to reform the way the US delivers foreign aid -- purchasing food in the US and shipping it on US vessels. It costs twice as much to purchase the food here versus purchasing food overseas. House Resolution 1268 would change the rules for USAID. She seemed interested and took the fact sheet on it. I will follow up with Kara Marchione (who we had requested be in the meeting but wasn't) as she is the foreign aid aide. Jos talked about the possibility of the Congressman being a leader on health care reform. That's one of the first things he had done when coming to Washington was sign on to cosponser HR 676, a Medicare for All bill. Jos is going to follow up on that issue.
Then it was off to the Rayburn building for lunch and strategizing with other RESULTS members.
Our second meeting was with Jos' Congressman, Leonard Boswell at 1. He had just had surgery and wasn't back in the office yet so we met with his aide. I said I had heard the Congressman had a successful surgery and she perked up, telling us he was sick of being in bed and wanting to get back to work. I did the same ask on House Resolution 1268 and Jos did healthcare reform and the child tax credit. It was a good meeting.
Then back to the Rayburn Building for a 1:45 with the Des Moines group leader's Congressman, a conservative Republican, Tom Latham. When I said I was concerned that US aid dollars weren't going far enough, he perked up. But he wasn't interested in HR 1268. Said the trade unions and ag interests would argue against it. But he was kind about the way he said it. He turned Jos down on every domestic thing he brought up. We just couldn't find any common ground with Latham. But the meeting was cordial nonetheless.
Then back into a cab and over to the Hart Senate Office Building. The Senate was voting on PEPFAR amendments this afternoon and we got to watch part of the debate on the TV in Grassley's office. At three we were ushered into his office and told he had been called to a meeting in Finance but we had three of his top aides in the room. I asked the aides to thank Grassley for coming to Cedar Rapids during the flood, and they were so kind, wanting to know if I had been affected. I had permission to tell my niece's story, so I did. They were concerned about FEMA getting to Cedar Rapids quickly and told me a delegation from Cedar Rapids had been there earlier in the afternoon to talk about tax credits. I told them we needed federal dollars for a buy-out in the 100-year flood plain. And then we got down to business.
Jos talked about healthcare reform, and Grassley's health aide explained his position, which is a "let the private sector fix it" solution. They were interested in the child tax credit minimum being set at $8500, as in the House. Grassley being the watchdog that he is, Jos and I thought asking him to see that USAID funds for microcredit be spent according to the 2004 mandate, which is 50 percent of the funds going to the very poor. I told the story of Muhammed Yunus being asked what the first thing a woman does with the proceeds from a microcredit loan. You might think it would be to put her children in school or feed her family better. No, the first thing a woman does is to bring her children home. The very poor who can't afford to feed their children will sell them into child labor for a handful of rice. So when she has money, the first thing she does is to buy her children back. And Congress has the right to oversee how USAID spends microfinance dollars, and can enforce the 2004 mandate that 50 percent go to the very poor.
Then it was time to come back and fill out paperwork. Since we did both global and domestic lobbying we had to fill out paperwork on both sets of issues. Jos was smart enough to have the forms with him and fill them out during the day. I had that job once I got back.
I called my mother tonight when I got back and told her I understood the value of coming to Washington. It's one thing to see a member of Congress in their home office, but when you come to their turf to lobby, it's the next step up in building that relationship. So I'm coming back next year, God willing.
Going to do a couple of things differently next year, though.
The day started with a breakfast in the Dirksen Senate Office Building. It was a hot breakfast buffet and the Senator from Wyoming -- I don't remember his name -- spoke. It was inspiring. He told stories that were straight from the RESULTS teachings on using stories effectively.
The it was into a cab and off to the House Offices side of the Hill. Our first appointment was at 11, in Congressman Loebsack's office. He had been called out to a meeting, so we met with his Legislative Aide, Megan Linn. I started out the meeting by asking her to thank the Congressman for coming to Cedar Rapids during the flood and for serving meals for the Red Cross over the 4th of July. She seemed genuinely grateful for the acknowledgement. I talked about the need to reform the way the US delivers foreign aid -- purchasing food in the US and shipping it on US vessels. It costs twice as much to purchase the food here versus purchasing food overseas. House Resolution 1268 would change the rules for USAID. She seemed interested and took the fact sheet on it. I will follow up with Kara Marchione (who we had requested be in the meeting but wasn't) as she is the foreign aid aide. Jos talked about the possibility of the Congressman being a leader on health care reform. That's one of the first things he had done when coming to Washington was sign on to cosponser HR 676, a Medicare for All bill. Jos is going to follow up on that issue.
Then it was off to the Rayburn building for lunch and strategizing with other RESULTS members.
Our second meeting was with Jos' Congressman, Leonard Boswell at 1. He had just had surgery and wasn't back in the office yet so we met with his aide. I said I had heard the Congressman had a successful surgery and she perked up, telling us he was sick of being in bed and wanting to get back to work. I did the same ask on House Resolution 1268 and Jos did healthcare reform and the child tax credit. It was a good meeting.
Then back to the Rayburn Building for a 1:45 with the Des Moines group leader's Congressman, a conservative Republican, Tom Latham. When I said I was concerned that US aid dollars weren't going far enough, he perked up. But he wasn't interested in HR 1268. Said the trade unions and ag interests would argue against it. But he was kind about the way he said it. He turned Jos down on every domestic thing he brought up. We just couldn't find any common ground with Latham. But the meeting was cordial nonetheless.
Then back into a cab and over to the Hart Senate Office Building. The Senate was voting on PEPFAR amendments this afternoon and we got to watch part of the debate on the TV in Grassley's office. At three we were ushered into his office and told he had been called to a meeting in Finance but we had three of his top aides in the room. I asked the aides to thank Grassley for coming to Cedar Rapids during the flood, and they were so kind, wanting to know if I had been affected. I had permission to tell my niece's story, so I did. They were concerned about FEMA getting to Cedar Rapids quickly and told me a delegation from Cedar Rapids had been there earlier in the afternoon to talk about tax credits. I told them we needed federal dollars for a buy-out in the 100-year flood plain. And then we got down to business.
Jos talked about healthcare reform, and Grassley's health aide explained his position, which is a "let the private sector fix it" solution. They were interested in the child tax credit minimum being set at $8500, as in the House. Grassley being the watchdog that he is, Jos and I thought asking him to see that USAID funds for microcredit be spent according to the 2004 mandate, which is 50 percent of the funds going to the very poor. I told the story of Muhammed Yunus being asked what the first thing a woman does with the proceeds from a microcredit loan. You might think it would be to put her children in school or feed her family better. No, the first thing a woman does is to bring her children home. The very poor who can't afford to feed their children will sell them into child labor for a handful of rice. So when she has money, the first thing she does is to buy her children back. And Congress has the right to oversee how USAID spends microfinance dollars, and can enforce the 2004 mandate that 50 percent go to the very poor.
Then it was time to come back and fill out paperwork. Since we did both global and domestic lobbying we had to fill out paperwork on both sets of issues. Jos was smart enough to have the forms with him and fill them out during the day. I had that job once I got back.
I called my mother tonight when I got back and told her I understood the value of coming to Washington. It's one thing to see a member of Congress in their home office, but when you come to their turf to lobby, it's the next step up in building that relationship. So I'm coming back next year, God willing.
Going to do a couple of things differently next year, though.
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