In Memorium

In Memorium
This week, NMAC lost a friend and colleague Chris Crowe, best friend and roommate to NMAC Communications Specialist Kyle Murphy. Chris served as legislative assistant to Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and as president of the LGBT Congressional Staffers Association. He was a steadfast advocate for equality, social justice and universal access to quality health care. He will be sorely missed.

Budget Showdown Looms in Congress
Congress is facing another government shutdown Friday, April 8, as the current temporary funding legislation is set to expire. The House and Senate have so far been unable to agree on a budget for the remainder of the 2011 fiscal year, leading the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee Hal Rogers (R-KY) to introduce another short-term spending bill.  President Obama, however, has stated that he will not accept another temporary fix and urged Congress to pass a responsible budget and put and end to the current gridlock.

NMAC will follow the budget debate closely and keep its constituents informed of any important developments.

House Republicans Unveil 2012 Budget
While Congress continues to debate the budget for the remainder of fiscal year 2011, Republicans in Congress released their proposed budget for fiscal year 2012 this week.  Drafted by Chairman of the House Budget Committee Paul Ryan (R-WI), the proposal seeks to cut $6.2 trillion in government spending over the next 10 years. The plan, which includes billions of dollars in tax cuts, would get the bulk of its “savings” by cutting funding for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, including the Medicaid expansions included in healthcare reform last year.

While the 2012 budget likely won’t be taken up until funding for the remainder of 2011 has been determined, NMAC will closely watch for any developments and keep its constiuents updated.

National HIV/AIDS Call-In Day
On April 5, NMAC joined with other AIDS organizations from across the country on a national call-in day to urge members of Congress to support federal funding for HIV/AIDS services and programs. Current legislation working its way through Congress could not only cut funding for agencies like Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but would restrict federal funds from being used for syringe exchange programs and family planning services.

See NMAC’s action alert urging its constituents to participate here.

Debbie Wasserman-Shulz is New Chair of DNC
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL), has been selected to replace Tim Kaine as the chair of the Democratic National Committee. Congresswoman Wasserman-Schultz is a strong supporter of LGBT rights as well as federal funding for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs, including needle exchange programs.

About NMAC
The National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) builds leadership within communities of color to address challenges of HIV/AIDS. Since 1987, NMAC has advanced this mission through a variety of programs and services, including: a public policy education program, national and regional training conferences, a treatment and research program, numerous publications and a website: https://www.nmac.org/.

Today, NMAC is an association of AIDS service organizations providing valuable information to community-based organizations, hospitals, clinics and other groups assisting individuals and families affected by the AIDS epidemic. NMAC’s advocacy efforts are funded through private funders and donors only.

For more information, contact NMAC directly at (202) 483-NMAC (6622) or communications@nmac.org.

About NMAC on the Hill
NMAC wants to make sure that our constituents are up to date on the latest activities in Congress and around Washington, DC that affect HIV/AIDS programs, funding, and the broader movement. To accomplish this, we will be sending regular updates on legislation, meetings and other happenings in the nation’s capital to keep you informed on what matters to our community.

Click here to email this message to a friend. To sign up for NMAC on the Hill, click here.

Visit the agency online at https://www.nmac.org/

Follow NMAC on:

 
If you received this e-mail in error or do not wish to receive future email from the National Minority AIDS Council, click here to remove yourself from the mailing list.