The central legislative objective of the 2007 Sabbath Year is a hearing in the House and introduction into the Senate of the Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation. This bill will expand eligibility for 100 percent debt cancellation without harmful economic conditions to 67 impoverished countries in the Global South.
On, Thursday, June 7, 2007, the Jubilee Act (HR 2634) was introduced into the US House of Representatives by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL).
On Wednesday, April 16, 2008, the Jubilee Act (HR 2634) was debated and voted on the House floor and now moves to the Senate. If you'd like to watch a video of the House vote, visit the archived page on the CSPAN website. Proceedings on the Jubilee Act (HR 2634) begin at 1:21 (1hr, 20 min).
On Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, the Jubilee Act (S 2166) was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT).
The Jubilee Act: Cancels impoverished country debt, prohibits harmful economic and policy conditions on debt cancellation, mandates transparency and responsibility in lending from governments and international financial institutions, calls for a new legal framework to restrict the activities of predatory “vulture funds,” and calls for a U.S. audit of debts resulting from odious and illegitimate lending.
If you have not urged your Representative to co-sponsor the Jubilee Act HR 2634 and your Senators to co-sponsor the Senate version of the Jubilee Act S 2166, take 5 minutes and make the call to your members of Congress. Take Action Now!
