Ukraine's Zelenskiy Discusses Peace Moves with Papal Envoy

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged the Vatican this week to contribute to the implementation of a Ukrainian peace plan during talks with a Papal envoy about Russia's war on Ukraine. Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, tasked by Pope Francis to carry out a peace mission to try to help end the war in Ukraine, visited Kyiv to sound out the Ukrainian authorities. Zelenskiy said they discussed the situation in Ukraine and humanitarian cooperation "in the framework of the Ukrainian Peace Formula." MORE

The Idolatry of Gun Worship

Addressing America’s gun violence crisis is a daunting and necessary task. An average of 43,375 people die each year by gun and it’s increasing rapidly. Between 2012 and 2021 the number of gun deaths increased by 39 percent with gun violence deaths now being the leading cause of death for children and teens. What is both tragic and deeply disturbing is the extent to which religion — or, more accurately, the distortion of religion — is contributing to this epidemic. MORE

U.S. Does Not Need to Boost Nuclear Arsenal to Deter Russia, China

The United States does not believe it needs to increase the size of its own nuclear arsenal in order to deter the combined forces of Russia, China, and other rivals, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said last week. He also said the United States would abide by the nuclear weapons limits set in the New START treaty until its 2026 expiration if Russia does the same. Sullivan made the remarks in a speech in which he sought to coax Moscow and Beijing into arms control talks. MORE

Russian Use of Nuclear Weapons Still Unlikely, U.S. Says

Ahead of the widely expected counteroffensive by Ukraine in its war with Russia, the U.S. intelligence community continues to assert that the likelihood of Russian President Vladimir Putin using nuclear weapons in the war remains low. The assessment followed Russia’s suspension of the New START treaty, the last Russian-U.S. nuclear arms control agreement still standing. Moscow has conditioned a resumption of the treaty and its associated activities on Washington withdrawing support from Kyiv. MORE

New START: To Succeed, Plan for Failure

The best way to preserve the stability of New START may be to be prepared to let it go, argues John Erath of the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. Either both countries find a way to extend the treaty’s limits, or they should prepare for a new and ruinously expensive arms race. New START is bilateral, and its fate will depend at least as much on Russia’s decisions and actions as anything happening inside the Beltway. And it won’t be easy. The key, Erath suggests, is patience and avoiding giving any perception of desperation. MORE

TAKE ACTION: Support Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act

Our immigration system has failed the estimated eight million hardworking immigrants who have lived in and contributed to our communities for years by denying them legal resident status. The Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929, or Renewing Registry Bill, would allow vetted immigrants who have resided in the country for seven years the opportunity to apply for permanent legal residency. The Progressive Caucus Action Fund invites us to join in telling Congress to pass the Renewing Registry Bill. TAKE ACTION

Immigrant Work Force Reaches New High

The share of foreign-born workers in the U.S. labor force reached a record high of 18.1 percent last year, Labor Department data show. With more Americans aging out of the workforce than entering it, immigrants play an increasingly critical role in a labor market facing shortages. MORE

State Legislatures in Florida and Texas Propose and Enact Harmful Immigration Bills

Usurping the role of the federal government, state legislatures in Florida and Texas have proposed multiple harmful immigration bills during this year’s legislative session. Several Florida immigration bills passed while the Texas bills have—for now—not moved off the legislative floor. This year’s legislative session signaled an alarming trend toward state bills expanding immigration crimes, penalties, and enforcement at the state level. MORE

TAKE ACTION: Urge Congress to Support Climate Resilient Food and Farms

11 percent of US global warming emissions stem from agriculture. Industrial livestock production pollutes our air and water. The practice of growing the same crop year after year on the same land leaves communities vulnerable to climate impacts.  The Agriculture Resilience Act could usher in a transformation, investing in science and incentives to help farmers trap carbon in the soil and produce nutritious, climate-friendly foods.  The Union of Concerned Scientists urges us to tell Congress to cosponsor this important legislation. TAKE ACTION

Debt Deal Includes a Green Light for a Contentious Pipeline

Environmental activists are enraged by the deal struck between President Biden and Republicans to raise the debt ceiling because it would also expedite construction of a bitterly contested gas pipeline and includes unusual measures to insulate that project from judicial review. The $6.6 billion Mountain Valley Pipeline, is intended to carry natural gas about 300 miles from the Marcellus shale fields in West Virginia across nearly 1,000 streams and wetlands before ending in Virginia. MORE 

‘Game Changing’: Spate of U.S. Lawsuits Calls Big Oil to Account for Climate Crisis

Climate litigation in the US could be entering a “game-changing” new phase, experts believe, with a spate of lawsuits around the country set to advance after a recent supreme court decision, and with legal teams preparing for a trailblazing trial in a youth-led court case beginning next week. The number of cases focused on the climate crisis around the world has doubled since 2015, bringing the total number to over 2,000. MORE

What Does Real Healing Look Like for Trafficking Survivors?

There is no single, agreed-upon method for engaging with survivors; the jury is still out on what is most effective. But, as much as this preoccupies the field, it’s possible that it’s not the most pertinent question. Trafficking survivor Aubrey Lloyd explains how going through cancer treatment showed her that she could be trusted as an expert on her own experience. She suggests we treat trafficking survivors the same way. MORE

How Child Trafficking Is Related to Risks for LGBTQ2+ Youth

Certain factors can increase a child’s vulnerability to trafficking, such as bullying, familial rejection, low self-esteem, and the absence of supportive relationships. Conversely, protective elements include physical and psychological safety, supportive family connections, protective laws, acceptance, and healthy friendships and mentors. Many LGBTQ+ youth face heightened vulnerabilities and reduced protections, creating a domino effect that increases their risk of trafficking and exploitation. MORE

Why Work Requirements Don’t Work for Domestic Violence Survivors

People who have experienced domestic violence can have trouble finding and keeping jobs because of physical injuries and their abusers’ efforts to sabotage their employment. Denying welfare work waivers to survivors can hinder their ability to gain financial independence and could place them at risk of returning to their abusive partner as a way to meet their housing and childcare needs. MORE

Man Charged in the Sexual Assaults of 4 Women Over a Decade Ago After His DNA Was Pulled from a Drinking Glass at an Event

Investigators in Boston have used DNA analysis to identify and charge a suspect in the sexual assaults of four women whose cases have gone unsolved for over a decade. Investigators identified Matthew Nilo, as the suspect after revisiting the cases last year.  FBI agents were able to obtain utensils and drinking glasses Nilo used at a corporate event. The Boston Police Crime Lab then pulled a DNA profile from one of the glasses, which matched the suspect profile in the three rape cases. MORE

TAKE ACTION: Support the Establishment of a U.S. Commission for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation

HR 40 and Sen 40 are pieces of legislation that would establish the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans. The commission would examine the history of slavery in the United States and the role of the federal and state governments in supporting the institution of slavery and recommend ways the United States might recognize and remedy the effects of slavery and discrimination on African Americans. The Peace Alliance urges us to tell Congress to support a commission to study reparation proposals. TAKE ACTION

Iowa Governor Signs One of the Most Dangerous Rollbacks of Child Labor Laws in the Country

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill that rolls back several child labor law protections. Among other changes under Iowa’s new law, 14- and 15-year-olds are now allowed to work two extra hours per day during the school year, a total of six hours. 14- and 15-year olds are also allowed to do certain types of work that were previously banned, including work in industrial laundry services, freezers, and meat coolers. And teenagers as young as 16 will be allowed to serve alcohol. MORE

Who Receives Food Benefits? It May Not Be Who You Think

Under new rules established by the debt-ceiling bill, many people in need who are in their early 50s will need to provide proof of work in order to qualify for food assistance. Many conservative leaders and experts at think tanks argue that the tighter requirements are necessary to move more unemployed people into the workforce, especially in a historically tight labor market that keeps adding jobs at a surprising clip. But an analysis of Census Bureau and other data paints a more complicated picture. MORE

Duane Owen is scheduled to be executed on June 15 by the state of Florida for the murder of Georgianna Worden. Please hold Duane, Georgianna, their families, and the people of Florida in prayer. TAKE ACTION

Jemaine Cannon is scheduled to be executed on July 20 by the state of Oklahoma for the murder of Sharonda Clark. Please hold Jemaine, Sharonda, their families, and the people of Oklahoma in prayer. TAKE ACTION

James Barber is scheduled to be executed on July 20 or 21 by the state of Alabama for the murder of Dorothy Epps. Please hold James, Dorothy, their families, and the people of Alabama in prayer. TAKE ACTION