Policies

The National Urban League Washington Bureau champions public policy initiatives that promote economic and social justice that will achieve the outcomes embodied by the League’s Empowerment Goals:

	National Urban League Policy on Jobs To achieve economic equality, the National Urban League advances comprehensive and multifaceted policies aimed at job creation, employment preparation and access. These include: (1) direct job creation initiatives, (2) preparation for and access to employment, (3) supporting public-private initiatives, (4) supporting government-sponsored economic development initiatives that foster economic investment and job creation, and (5) supporting raising the minimum wage and strengthening the unemployment insurance system. For more information, click here.
	National Urban League Policy on Education The National Urban League believes that educational opportunity and economic empowerment are inextricably linked. The National Urban League’s education policy priorities were released in the Educate, Employ and Empower plan. Our work focuses on these areas: (1) fair and equitable school funding for all, (2) robust early childhood education for each child, (3) strengthening high schools and re-engaging students to prevent dropouts, (4) robust STEM-focused curriculum and programs, (5) qualified and diverse teachers, (6) strategic workforce development, (7) new job training models coupled with job placement, and (8) improving and integrating current data systems. For more information, click here.
	National Urban League Policy on Housing The Urban League believes that strong, economically secure communities begin with progressive housing policies and financially literate citizens. Measures for which the Urban League advocates include: (1) improved access to affordable credit for qualified borrowers, (2) meaningful GSE reform, (3) effective public and private responses to the foreclosure crisis, and (4) a comprehensive US Housing Policy that includes affordable rental and residential stock. For more information, click here.
	National Urban League Policy on Health Disparities in healthcare cost our nation more than $82B dollars in lost economic activity. This cost is borne overwhelmingly by African-Americans in higher health care spending, and, tragically, significantly higher levels of illness, disability, and death. We focus our health policy work on the following areas: (1) full and timely implementation of the historic Affordable Care Act, (2) eliminating health disparities, (3) developing a diverse and culturally competent health workforce, and (4) preventing hunger and increasing access to healthy foods. For more information, click here.

Additional National Urban League Washington Bureau policy initiatives include:

National Urban League Policy on Telecommunications While the broadband adoption gap between blacks and whites is narrowing, more than one-third of African American households do not have access to broadband service.  Through its participation in stakeholder coalitions, on federal diversity committees and other civil rights groups, the Washington Bureau works to identify solutions sector-by-sector to fit the needs of local communities and businesses and to ensure that urban communities are able to fully participate in the innovation economy. For more information, click here.

National Urban League Policy on Civil Rights and Social Justice The National Urban League remains vigilant in the enforcement of our civil rights laws by working in collaboration with other civil rights organizations, particularly in the areas of affirmative action and voting rights. The National Urban League Washington Bureau monitors developments at the state level, and keep citizens informed of their rights and engaged in the democratic process; it also plays a leadership role in advocating for full educational parity. For more information, click here.