Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) Blogs

Office of Public Witness

Raising a Prophetic Voice through the Social Justice Policy of Presbyterians Since 1946

The Work of Presbyterian Public Witness in 2019

Reformed Theology teaches that, because a sovereign God is at work in the world, the church and Christian citizens should be concerned about public policy. The Office of Public Witness (OPW) is the public policy, advocacy, and information office of the PC(USA). We function as the voice of General Assembly in Washington, DC, and elsewhere…. Read more »

Penalizing BDS Undermines 1st Amendment

Legislation Penalizing Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) Undermines First Amendment Protections In an ecumenical statement on November 14, 2018, sixteen U.S. Christian leaders outlined developments in U.S. policy toward Israel/Palestine since the beginning of the Trump Administration, noting the negative impacts on Palestinians and on prospects for peace in the region. The statement was sent to… Read more »

PCUSA Stands with the Poor People’s Campaign

In February 2019, the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, Director of the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness (OPW), stood with the Rev. Dr. William Barber and the Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis to launch Phase 2 of the Poor People’s Campaign (PPC), which remains focused on the goal of organizing the 140 million poor folks in our country… Read more »

Welcome Christian Brooks!

The Office of Public Witness is pleased to welcome our new Representative for Domestic Issues, Christian Brooks. A St. Louis native, Christian recently graduated from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. As a seminarian, Christian served as President of the Student Association and co-founded a student advocacy group called Seminarians United for Racial Justice (SURJ), which is committed… Read more »

Office of Public Witness Welcomes Bill to Repeal the Authorization for the Use of Military Force

March 13, 2019 Chairman Eliot Engel Committee on Foreign Affairs United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Ranking Member Michael McCaul Committee on Foreign Affairs United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Re: H.R. 1274 “Repeal of the Authorization for Use of Military Force” Dear Chairman Engel and Ranking Member McCaul: We, the… Read more »

Weigh in to Defend SNAP

On February 1, the Trump Administration proposed a rule that would restrict states’ flexibility to provide nutrition assistance to people who struggle to put food on the table. In effect, this rule will eliminate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for 755,000 unemployed and underemployed adults and amount to $15 billion in SNAP cuts over… Read more »

A True National Crisis

We Need More Than Thoughts and Prayers   Just over one year ago, violence erupted at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, resulting in the death of 20 students and 6 adults. Each time a new incidence of public violence invades our news feeds, we grieve that such a thing would be allowed… Read more »

Office of Public Witness Signs on to Interfaith Letter Opposing CIA Drone Strikes

February 19, 2019 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker U.S. House of Representatives The Honorable Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader U.S. House of Representatives The Honorable Mitch McConnell, Majority Leader U.S. Senate The Honorable Charles E. Schumer, Minority Leader U.S. Senate cc: All Members of Congress re: CIA drone strikes Dear Members of Congress: As members of… Read more »

National Emergency is an Abuse of Power

The President has just declared a national emergency to circumvent Congress and the U.S. Constitution, in order to proceed with plans to build a border wall. The only crisis at our southern border is the humanitarian crisis manufactured by this administration. The current administration has separated children from their families, undermined child and asylum protections, and fueled… Read more »

Carbon Pricing Bill reintroduced in 116th Congress

February 12, 2018  In Support of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2019 (HR 763) In June 2018, the 223rdGeneral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) “expressed profound concern about the destructive effects of climate change on all God’s creation, including a disproportionate impact on those living in poverty and in the least… Read more »