House passes bill to relieve debt in poor nations

WASHINGTON — Religious leaders praised the House in April for passing the Jubilee Act, which pushes the Treasury Department to seek debt cancellation agreements with 24 countries.

The bill, which passed 285–132 on April 16, targets countries that need their debts canceled in order to meet the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, which seek to eradicate extreme poverty and halt the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015.

"We commend the U.S. Congress for its bold step in passing the Jubilee Act and listening to the people of the impoverished nations who have borne the burden of unjust debt for far too long," said Patricia Rumer, co-chairwoman of the Washington-based Jubilee USA Network, which includes religious groups, development agencies and civil and human rights groups. A Senate panel considered related legislation April 24.