Congress Gives Short Shrift to Poor Country Debt Relief

Bread for the World
Friday, 5 November 1999

Today Congress is approving only about 10 percent of the U.S. share of the international plan to write off some of the debt of the world's poorest countries. The bill the House passed this morning would reduce the debt that poor countries owe to the U.S. government, but it would contribute nothing to the much larger international debt relief plan agreed to by the G-7 nations.

Pope John Paul II this week repeated his request for debt relief for the poorest countries as part of the world's celebration of the year 2000. Many church bodies and more than 1000 local churches across the country have joined that plea. The religious community contends that poor nations need debt relief so that they can provide much-needed health care and education to their children. But unfortunately, Congress does not seem to be listening.

The work of Congress won't be done until they give more than token support to debt cancellation for the world's poorest people. The lives of millions of children depend on it.

Bread for the World is a 44,000 member Christian citizens' movement against hunger. Founded in 1974, Bread for the World's members lobby Congress and the administration to bring about public policy changes that address the root causes of hunger and poverty in the United States and overseas. Bread for the World is a non-partisan organization sponsored by 45 denominations and many theological perspectives.

For more information, or to contact Bread for the World, see their website at: www.bread.org