Yesterday, Congressional leaders put aside partisan differences to stand together in support of the world’s poorest. After months of anticipation, the Jubilee Act (HR 4405) was introduced by Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA), along with Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA), Ranking Member Spencer Bachus (R-AL), and seven more Republican and Democrat members of Congress. This encouraging bi-partisan effort by powerful leaders in Congress is a tremendous holiday gift for our sisters and brothers in the Global South.

[The Nicaragua Network has just received this important message from the Jubilee USA Network of which it is a member. We urge you to take action!]

It is time to take action in support of this critical effort.

The global Jubilee movement succeeded in achieving 100% debt cancellation for 26 countries – allowing them to redirect resources toward health care, education and clean water. The Jubilee Act will expand life-giving debt cancellation to 22 additional impoverished countries left out of previous debt relief deals and calls for an end to harmful economic conditions and an audit of past odious and illegitimate debts.

Please take thirty seconds to send a message to your Representative asking him/her to sign on as an early cosponsor to the Jubilee Act.

This past year has been tough for many people here at home and around the globe. The economic crisis pushed 100 million more people into extreme poverty this year and dozens of impoverished countries now face a new debt crisis.

This holiday season, the introduction of the Jubilee Act represents a beacon of hope in the midst of these challenges. To learn more about the Jubilee Act, click here.

We passed the Jubilee Act in the House last Congress. Now with powerful leaders from both sides of the aisle as original cosponsors, we are poised for victory once again, but we’ll need your help.

Please ask your Representative to cosponsor the Jubilee Act today.

We’ve reached this tremendous milestone thanks to the dedication and support of people and faith and conscience around the country. Now is the time for a big push to gain cosponsors and pass the Jubilee Act!