Jim Wallis on Crossing Faith’s Boundaries To End Child Poverty
Reverend Jim Wallis, Chair in Faith and Justice at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and Founder of Sojourners...
About This Episode
Reverend Jim Wallis, Chair in Faith and Justice at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and Founder of Sojourners, reports on how dozens of faith organizations continue to advocate together for making the Child Tax Credit permanent, among other provisions in the proposed Build Back Better legislation. “We came together across many of our theological and political boundaries in the faith community to support the Child Tax Credit and the other critical factors in this human infrastructure bill.” Wallis and his fellow faith leaders are fighting for the most vulnerable Americans. “Unfortunately, it continues to be true that when the government wants to tighten its belt, it tightens the belt around the necks of the poor. And when they want to be fiscally responsible, they do it on the backs of the lowest income families and children. And that’s just not wrong. That's sinful… The Bible says that kings and rulers - those who rule - will be defined and will be judged by how they treat the poor and vulnerable.”Resources and Mentions:
Jim Wallis
Inaugural Chair in Faith and Justice
Jim Wallis is a New York Times bestselling author, public theologian, speaker, and international commentator on ethics and public life. He is currently the inaugural Chair in Faith and Justice at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. He is Founder of Sojourners, a faith -based social Justiice organization, where he served for as president for 50 years. He served on President Obama's White House Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships and was former vice chair of, and currently serves on, the Global Agenda Council on Values of the World Economic Forum.
Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan provides the largest Child Tax Credit ever and historic relief to the most working families ever – and as of July 15th, most families are automatically receiving monthly payments of $250 or $300 per child without having to take any action. The Child Tax Credit will help all families succeed.
The American Rescue Plan increased the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 per child to $3,000 per child for children over the age of six and from $2,000 to $3,600 for children under the age of six, and raised the age limit from 16 to 17. All working families will get the full credit if they make up to $150,000 for a couple or $112,500 for a family with a single parent (also called Head of Household).Center on Faith and Justice
https://faithandjustice.georgetown.edu/Grounded in the mandate of Matthew 25 to focus on the “least of these” and committed to pursue the Gospel values of justice and peace, the Center on Faith and Justice will advance a deeper understanding and integration of faith and moral public policy into our political and civil discourse, help to reshape the nation’s political narrative, and advocate for more compassionate and just policies that prioritize the needs of historically marginalized people and communities and increases their ability to thrive and flourish.
Sojourners
https://sojo.net/Sojourners' mission is to articulate the biblical call to social justice, to inspire hope and build a movement to transform individuals, communities, the church, and the world. They envision a future in which Christians put their faith into action in the passionate pursuit of social justice, peace, and environmental stewardship, working in partnership with people of other perspectives, for the common good of communities, families and individuals. We articulate that vision, convene and mobilize constituencies, and build alliances for effective advocacy. Sojourners magazine and Sojourners online publication sit at the intersection of faith, politics, and culture. Our coverage goes beyond the trending headlines to uncover and explore in depth the hidden injustices in the world around us.
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