Religious leaders representing very diverse faith communities with millions of members across the USA are urging their Congress to take urgent action to assist the poor who are facing the brunt of climate change.

The organisation linking together 35 of America's mainline Christian churches, accounting for 50 million members, has accused President George W. Bush of neglecting the needs of sick children, especially in poor communities.

Leaders of 20 national American religious organizations are continuing to press the US Congress this month (June 2007), urging expanded funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Programme (SCHIP).

Senior US Christian leaders are pressing the Bush administration and Congress to end current bans on travel to Cuba, calling on both the Houses of Representatives and Senate to support bipartisan legislation in favour of cultural and religious freedom.

The United States congress has linked federal minimum wage legislation to the bill for the Iraq war - and a number of faith and labour leaders are upset about it, including the head of the ecumenical council.