A Short-Term Spending Bill is in Place, but Advocacy is Still Important
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OFN is bringing nearly 200 members to the Hill next week, but everyone can try our new tools to advocate for CDFI funding in the next budget.
On September 30, Congress approved a short-term spending bill to keep the federal government funded for the next 45 days. This bill, or continuing resolution (CR), will keep federal agencies and programs funded at current 2023 levels through November 17, allowing time for negotiations on final fiscal year 2024 spending.
While the Senate has advanced many of its spending bills through the Appropriations Committee with bipartisan support, infighting in the House Republican Caucus has made it challenging to move spending bills forward in that chamber.
That infighting boiled over last week, with eight Republicans voting with all of the Democrats in the House to remove Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from his position as Speaker of the House. Rep. All negotiations on spending bills remain on hold until the House has selected a new Speaker, leaving little room on the calendar for spending negotiations before November 17.
Protect the CDFI Fund
While Congress is figuring out its leadership and finding a path forward on the budget, advocacy is still essential, and CDFI Fund programs are still at risk of being cut in final spending negotiations. It is a crucial time, and we are moving forward! We will have more than 60 meetings on the Hill next week, held in conjunction with the annual OFN Conference.
Can’t join us on the Hill? Use our new advocacy tools to urge Congress to protect funding for the CDFI Fund in the next budget.
To use the new tools, visit the Advocacy Tools section of our Policy Action Center. Then select the green “TAKE ACTION” button and simply type in your address and zip code. Next, click on the icons that appear at the top of the section to access these three actions:
- Send a Letter: Click the envelope icon to send a template letter to your Members of Congress. Add a personal touch by writing why CDFI Fund appropriations matter to your community.
- Tag on Social: Click the Twitter icon (now called X) to pull up a draft post — or write your own message about your CDFI. Don’t forget to use our hashtags, #CapitalMeetsPurpose #CDFI.
- Pick up the Phone: Click on the phone icon to see your representatives’ D.C. office phone numbers. Feel free to use the script provided and tell them how CDFIs make an impact in your state or district.
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