FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 18, 2023

Contact: Pablo DeJesús | info@uusj.org

 

UUSJ Applauds The Reintroduction Of The Afghan Adjustment Act

Congress should pass this bi-cameral, bi-partisan bill quickly

Washington, D.C. – Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ) strongly supports the Afghan Adjustment Act (S.2327 and H.R.4627) reintroduced on July 14, 2023, by a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives. This proposed legislation is directly aligned with our Unitarian Universalist (UU) values which emphasize the worth and dignity of every person and the importance of justice, equity, and compassion in all human relationships.

Enacting the AAA will honor the sacrifice and commitment of our Afghan allies.  Last session, our volunteers collaborated to explain to Congress that passing the Afghan Adjustment Act is a matter of honor, a debt that must be repaid. Congress failed to respond quickly, ignoring the moral injury suffered by veterans, Afghan allies, and the many volunteers across the United States resettling them. 

Pablo DeJesús, Executive Director, UUSJ, stated: “The veterans in our congregations have been deeply frustrated at the failure of Congress to pass the AAA in support of our long-time comrades in arms. Our veterans consider this to be a debt of honor. The volunteers in our congregations helping Afghans settle in the U.S. have been similarly perplexed by the inaction of Congress. The vets say, the volunteers say, and UUSJ says, ‘Pass the AAA NOW!’”

The AAA is popular among Americans. Meeting the promises made by veterans is honorable. Providing a pathway to legal permanent residency for Afghan evacuees is just. Allowing Afghan evacuees the chance to settle and rebuild their lives in the U.S. is fair. Providing protection mechanisms for at-risk Afghan allies left behind during the evacuation is compassionate. Deploying the gold standard in vetting is wise for national security. The AAA is, therefore, must-pass legislation. 

This bi-partisan, bi-cameral legislation has been designed to improve our national security and provide stability for our Afghan allies. It meets the pledges and promises of veterans and recognizes the valuable effort of Americans that have done the work of welcoming. 

“Our Unitarian Universalist faith calls us to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Welcoming the stranger and providing shelter to the vulnerable is a foundational way to live our faith.  The season for politics and maneuvering is over. The time for provisions unrelated to the specific concerns of our Afghan allies is done. Hundreds of faith groups, non-profits, employers, Afghan-Americans, and veteran organizations have said it is time to end the moral injury and pass the Afghan Adjustment Act,” concluded DeJesús.

The Afghan Adjustment Act was reintroduced in the Senate by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. Christopher A. Coons (D-DE), Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Senator Roger F. Wicker (R-MS), Senator Thomas Tillis (R-NC), Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL). 

The Afghan Adjustment Act was also reintroduced in the House of Representatives by Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-1), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3), Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-6), Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO-6),  Rep. Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1), Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12), Rep. Maria E. Salazar (R-FL-27), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ-1), Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ-4), Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY-17), Rep. Scott H. Peters (D-CA-50), Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23), Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA-6), Rep. John R. Curtis (R-UT-3), Rep. Abigail D. Spanberger (D-VA-7), Rep. Zachary Nunn (R-IA-3), Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), Rep. Blake D. Moore (R-UT-1), Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA-6), Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-7), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC-1), and Rep. Jeff Jackson (D-NC-14).

The Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice is a network of Unitarian Universalist individuals and congregations that lifts voices of moral concern in Washington, D.C., before federal decision-makers. Follow us on Twitter @UUSJ