[stop-imf] New Debt Legislation: Take Action
Robert Weissman
rob@essential.org
Thu, 06 Jun 2002 18:20:47 -0700
Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2002 18:13:29 -0400
From: "Mara Vanderslice" <mara@j2000usa.org>
JUBILEE NEWS AND UPDATES: June 2002
* New Debt Legislation Introduced
----------------------------------------------------
On April 18, 2002, Senators Biden and Santorum and Congressmen Smith and
LaFalce introduced companion bills in the House of Representatives and the
Senate called the “Debt Relief Enhancement Act of 2002”, S. 2210 and H.R.
4524.
These bills seek to amend the existing Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC)
debt initiative of the IMF and World Bank. If the more generous terms of
this legislation were accepted no qualified country would pay more than 5%
of its budget on debt service annually (10% if the country has no health
crisis.) This would nearly double current debt relief by cutting an
additional $1 billion in debt service payments.
The Senate version of the bill would require that HIPC debt relief not be
conditioned on certain policy measures often associated with “structural
adjustment programs” including user fees on health care and education, the
forced privatization of water, policies that degrade the environment or
weaken labor standards.
These bills have very strong bipartisan support in both the House and
Senate. Some additional sponsors in the Senate include Kerry, Sarbanes,
Lieberman, Nickles, Frist, DeWine and Chafee. In the House, the primary
sponsors are joined by Leach, Bachus, Kelly, Ehlers, English, Morella,
Waters, Frank Kucinich, McNulty, Owens, Schakowsky, Meed, McGovern, Coyne,
and Tubbs Jones.
* Jubilee USA Network’s Position on H.R. 4524 and S. 2210
---------------------------------------------------------------
Jubilee USA Network supports the bipartisan effort to enact deeper debt
relief in these companion bills, on the grounds that their provisions would
significantly increase the amount of debt cancelled under the HIPC program.
We especially applaud the provision in the Senate bill that de-links future
debt cancellation from harmful conditions such as user fees for health care,
education, access to clean, safe water, and conditions that degrade labor
rights and the environment. Jubilee will work towards the inclusion of
these provisions in the House version of the bill.
However, in solidarity with our partners in the Global South, Jubilee USA
Network continues to critique the fundamentally flawed HIPC program as the
vehicle for debt relief. By supporting this interim step, Jubilee does not
indicate support for the program at large. Jubilee USA Network will
continue to call for definitive debt cancellation and the abolition of
harmful conditionalities, often referred to as structural adjustment
programs.
Jubilee USA Network will work towards the fulfillment of the larger Jubilee
vision as expressed in the Jubilee USA Network Platform:
http://www.jubileeusa.org/jubilee.cgi?path=/about_the_network/statements&pag
e=Jubilee_USA_Network_Platform.html
* What You Can Do to Help
------------------------------
MAKE A PHONE CALL:
If you live in one of the following key legislative districts, we need your
help RIGHT AWAY! Please call your representative THIS COMING WEEK and urge
him/her to co-sponsor the Debt Relief Enhancement Act of 2002 (HR 4524).
Sponsors of the bill would like significant support for the legislation
prior to the G8 meeting at the end of June. CALL NOW!
* Key Legislative Districts:
Dick Armey (26-TX) ---> 202-225-7772
Doug Bereuter (1-NE) ---> 202-225-4806
Judy Biggert (13-IL) ---> 202-225-3515
Mike Castle (At large-DE) ---> 202-225-4165
Mike Ferguson (7-NJ) ---> 202-225-5361
Dennis Hastert (14-IL) ---> 202-225-2976
Henry Hyde (6-IL) ---> 202-225-4561
Jim Kolbe (5-AZ) ---> 202-225-2542
Jim Nussle (2-IA) ---> 202-225-2911
Mike Oxley (4-OH) ---> 202-225-2676
Ron Paul (12-TX) ---> 202-225-2831
Marge Roukema ---> 202-225-4465
Jim Ryun (2-KS) ---> 202-225-6601
Chris Shays (4-CT) ---> 202-225-5541
Frank Wolf (10-VA) ---> 202-225-5136
* What you can say when you call:
“Hello, I am a constituent of Rep. --. I would like to speak with the aide
that works on the issue of debt cancellation.”
When you get the correct aide (or their voicemail):
--Please support deeper debt cancellation for impoverished countries by
co-sponsoring H.R. 4524, the Debt Relief Enhancement Act. This bill would
nearly double current debt relief by cutting an additional $1 billion in
debt service. This would allow poor countries to address important issues
such as education, HIV/AIDS, and poverty. This bill takes a first step at
addressing some of the shortcomings of the current debt relief program.
--Please condition further funding of the World Bank on complete debt
cancellation and responsible reforms that will protect access to health,
education, a clean environment and good jobs.
Detailed talking points are available on request at
sarah_jubileeusa@yahoo.com.
SET UP A CONGRESSIONAL VISIT:
We need Jubilee supporters across the country to set up visits with
their Representative and Senators on debt cancellation and World Bank
reform. Face-to-face visits are the most powerful way to express your
concern to your elected officials!
Please contact Sarah Smiley at 202-546-4470 or
sarah_jubileeusa@yahoo.com if
you are interested in organizing or joining a congressional visit on Jubilee
issues this summer.
WRITE A LETTER:
Ask your church, community and family to write letters to Congress in
support of legislation for debt cancellation and an end to harmful World
Bank and IMF policies. Handwritten, personal letters make the most impact.
It is best to send your letter to your district office since mail to
Washington, DC has been significantly delayed. You may also fax a
hand-written letter to your representative.
Please personalize and edit the following sample letter:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Rep. ---:
I am writing to express my support for deeper debt cancellation for
impoverished countries. Debt relief has proven to be effective in putting
kids in school and saving lives through increased access to health. However,
debt relief has not gone far enough under the current debt relief program,
the Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative (HIPC). Complete debt
cancellation is needed for the fight against HIV/AIDS and to ensure global
security through poverty reduction.
Please co-sponsor the “Debt Relief Enhancement Act,” H.R. 4524, which will
provide an additional $1 billion in debt relief for impoverished countries
and is a first step in addressing some of the shortcomings of the current
debt relief initiative.
Also, the World Bank will ask Congress this year for more of our taxpayer
money (IDA-13). I would like you to condition your support on deeper debt
cancellation and an end to harmful World Bank and IMF policies that prevent
poor people from having access to clean water, health care, adequate
education, and good jobs.
Please respond with your position on these important moral concerns.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Full Address
*****************************************
Find out your Representative’s district address or fax number at:
www.house.gov
* Sustain the Jubilee Spirit
----------------------------------------
--We need your support to continue the progress on debt cancellation! Keep
the Jubilee vision alive by donating online:
http://www.jubileeusa.org/jubilee.cgi?path=/donate OR send donations to:
Jubilee USA Network
222 East Capitol Street, NE
Washington, DC 20003
--If you belong to a faith community, please find out more about our new
Jubilee Congregations program online at:
http://www.jubileeusa.org/jubilee.cgi?path=/jubilee_congregations
* Any questions?
--------------------------
Please contact the Jubilee USA Network office with any questions about our
work or how to get more involved: Mara Vanderslice, 202-783-0129 or
mara@j2000usa.org