LD-2 Disclosure Form

Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page

1. Registrant Name Organization/Lobbying Firm Self Employed Individual

NATIONAL ADVOCACY CENTER OF THE SISTERS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

2. Address

Address1

504 HEXTON HILL RD.

Address2

City

SILVER SPRING

State

Zip Code

20904

Country

USA

3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)

City

State

Zip Code

Country

4a. Contact Name		b. Telephone Number	c. E-mail
Ms.	Fran Eskin-Royer	3016226838	NACExecDir@gsadvocacy.org

5. Senate ID#

77993-12

7. Client Name	Self	Check if client is a state or local government or instrumentality
CONFERENCE OF PROVINCIALS OF NORTH AMERICA

6. House ID#

362080000

LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.

WORK PERMIT BACKLOG: Letter to USCIS to eliminate the backlog before January 2025 and ensure that as many people as possible have stable access to work permits well into the future.

Work permits are a necessity for people's access to food, housing, and health care. The value of work and ones ability to support themselves and their families has resonance with many faith traditions. Currently the work permit backlog exceeded 1.6 million pending applications as of March 2024. Many people (DACA recipients, asylum seekers, TPS holders, adjustment applicants, parolees, and more) wait months or over a year due to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) delays.

THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF DEL RIO AND ONGOING THREATS TO HAITIAN MIGRANTS: PROTECTION FOR HAITIAN MIGRANTS: Letter to President, Vice President, and representatives from DOS, DHS and NSA expressing our outrage at recent remarks targeting the Haitian immigrant community in Springfield, Ohio made by sitting members of Congress, and other high-profile individuals. Historically, Haitian immigrants in the U.S. have been subjected to dehumanizing stereotypes, from false accusations of spreading disease to xenophobic portrayals in the media. These tropes perpetuate discrimination and violence to an already marginalized community. The request includes: 1) Implement a moratorium on deportations by air or sea to Haiti, 2) Ensure Accountability, Oversight, and Reform in CBP One Processing, 3) Provide Transparency for Haitian asylum seekers in Maritime Interdictions Processes.

U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), President of the U.S., Vice President of the U.S., Homeland Security - Dept of (DHS), White House Office, State - Dept of (DOS), Natl Security Agency (NSA)

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

SUPPORT FOR BIPARTISAN TAX RELIEF FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES AND WORKERS ACT (S. 7024): Action alert to network urging advocates to reach out to their senators in support of the bill given its critical expansions to the Child Tax Credit (bill already passed House).

BLAST TO SENATE IN SUPPORT OF S. 7024, BIPARTISAN TAX RELIEF FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES AND WORKERS ACT.

2025 TAXES: Letter to Congress noting the 2025 tax fight is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to move our tax code in the right direction, so we can invest in women, families, and communities. By asking the wealthiest individuals and wealthy corporations to pay their fair share in taxes, lawmakers can leverage the tax code to support robust public investments such as guaranteed access to early education (including child care and pre-K), comprehensive paid family and medical leave, and robust aging and disability care, and good jobs for all care workers.

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

FULL FUNDING FOR THE CENSUS IN FY25 APPROPRIATIONS: Letter to House Leadership expressing deep concern about the unacceptably low funding level proposed in the House Commerce Justice Science (CJS) appropriations bill and the bill language that would severely undermine the ability of the Bureau to conduct non-response follow up across all of its surveys, including the American Community Survey, decennial census, and economic censuses.

GLOBAL VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN: PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SEXUAL ABUSE, NEGLECT and EXPLOITATION: Sign-on letter to the Biden-Harris Administration calling for an increase in support for essential programs that prevent and respond to violence against children globally in the FY2026 Presidents Budget Request.

Half of the worlds children - nearly one billion - are victims of violence annually. Violence against children includes physical, emotional, and sexual violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This global public health crisis is exacerbated by the rise of technology-facilitated violence and the harmful use of artificial intelligence, residual effects of the pandemic, a growing number of global conflicts, unprecedented rates of forced migration and displacement, and the worsening climate crisis and environmental degradation. This poly-crisis threatens the safety and well-being of children around the world and must be met with urgency and attention.

APPROPRIATIONS FOR CRITICAL FUNDING: Letter urging House and Senate State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (SFOPs) Appropriations leadership to safeguard and invest in critical funding for peacebuilding, human rights, humanitarian aid, migration, foreign climate aid, poverty-focused development assistance and related accounts in 2025. This letter was prompted once again by the dramatic cuts passed in the House SFOPs bill in 2024.

VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN AND YOUTH SURVEYS (VACS) ADVOCACY: Letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reiterating a request for a new $10 million budget line for the Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS), directed by the CDC under the Global Health Programs account. VACS have almost exclusively been funded by PEPFAR; however, due to shifting priorities, PEPFAR will no longer fund VACS after FY25. This loss in funding means the end of future data collection and the post-data collection process used to catalyze policy and programmatic change at the national level of each country that implements a VACS. Fifteen years of U.S. investment in the global gold standard for understanding violence against children and efforts to improve the health, well-being, and safety of children and youth globally are at risk.

VACS are national household surveys of children, adolescents, and youth ages 13-24, led by national governments with technical assistance from the CDC. They are the worlds largest and most comprehensive source of data on violence against children. VACS provide data on the prevalence of physical, sexual, and emotional violence against children, adolescents, and youth; the factors that increase their vulnerability to violence, as well as factors that reduce their risk of violence; and the consequences of violence, including physical and mental health consequences, risk behaviors, revictimization and poly-victimization, and becoming perpetrators of violence, themselves. The VACS unique multisector post-data collection Data to Action process has catalyzed policy and programmatic changes for children and VAC prevention and response. VACS data also informs U.S. foreign assistance implementation.

HOUSE CUTS IN DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL APPROPRIATIONS: House Republican appropriators have already proposed FY25 funding bills that cut tens of billions below this years levels for domestic and international appropriations, breaking a previous agreement to avoid such deep cuts. Now, some House Republicans are advancing budget process reforms that would pave the way for deeper cuts. The Republican-controlled House Budget Committee has solicited public input by September 6th on proposals that would force cuts significantly below this years spending on programs such as education, Head Start, child care and other children and family services, public health, medical research, housing, nutrition assistance, environmental protection, enforcement of civil rights and worker protection laws, and much more.

Letter expressing strong support for funding programs at the levels needed to meet current needs - and calling for revenue levels from fair sources adequate to meet those needs.

U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, White House Office, Office of Management & Budget (OMB)

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

SUPPORT OF A RESILIENT, EQUITABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE 2024 FARM BILL: Letter to congressional leaders urging them to negotiate a 2024 Farm Bill that must build a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable food and farm system. The letter reinforces that such a Farm Bill must - at its core - include policies that address hunger, public health, farmers, workers, and the environment.

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

FREDERICK DOGLASS TVPRA (H.R. 5856): Worked with Sen. Cardin's office, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee on an advocacy strategy around Senate passage. Urged network to contact Senators about passage of the FD TVPRA. Also met with Sen. Van Hollen's office - urging him to be a champion of this bill so that it might pass this year.

LEGISLATION IN SUPPORT OF SOUTH SUDAN: worked with Rep. Sarah Jacobs office around the promotion of her legislation with Republican offices.

UNRWA RESTORATION ACT ORGANIZATIONAL SIGN-ON LETTER TO BIDEN ADMINISTRATION: As a way of complimenting the upcoming rollout of the UNRWA Restoration Act to be introduced by Representatives Carson, Jayapal, and Schakowsky, a sign-on letter was sent to President Biden calling on the Administration to re-engage with Congress in support of funding UNRWA.

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

SUPPORT FOR BANNING MEDICAL DEBT CREDIT REPORTING: Letter of support to Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Bureau is moving to ban medical debt from appearing on credit reports used for credit underwriting. The burden of medical debt is difficult for many who suffer from medical challenges even with insurance but is crushing to those who are either uninsured or who have limited income. Black and Latino communities are disproportionately impacted by medical debt on their credit reports.

STAND UP FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY (COMMUNITY SAFETY AGENDA: Letter to Congress advocating for a Community Safety Agenda that prioritizes prevention, compassion, and evidence-based solutions, not punitive approaches that take effect long after harm has occurred. The Community Safety Agenda includes:

1. The Peoples Response Act (H.R. 4699): This act proposes the establishment of a Division on Community Safety within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Its primary goal is to allocate flexible funding for local initiatives aimed at interrupting violence, responding to civilian crises, preventing abuse, and other related efforts.

2. The Mental Health Justice Act (H.R. 6451): This legislation advocates for redirecting interventions for mental health crises away from law enforcement agencies. Instead, it suggests deploying trained social workers and professionals to handle such situations, thereby promoting more effective and compassionate responses to individuals in crisis.

3. The Break the Cycle of Violence Act (H.R. 5003): This act focuses on investing in community-based violence intervention programs. By addressing the underlying root causes of violence, such as socioeconomic disparities and lack of access to resources, this legislation aims to provide targeted interventions and support services within communities to mitigate and prevent violence.

These acts collectively aim to foster safer, healthier communities by prioritizing prevention, addressing systemic issues, and promoting compassionate responses to crises.

MEDICARE ACCESS FOR PEROPLE REENTERING THE COMMUNITY AFTER INCARCERATION: Letter encouraging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to finalize the rule to improve access to Medicare for people on parole, probation, and other statuses. This is part of (CMS) Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) proposed rule.

PATENT LAW THAT NEGATIVELY IMPACTS ABILITY TO GET LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES: (S.2220) PREVAIL ACT AND (S.2140) PERA (PATENT ELIGIBILITY RESTORATION ACT: Group letter
urging Congress to address the high cost of prescription drugs, which increases costs for patients, employers, and insurers, as well as our state and federal health programs like Medicare and Medicaid. One in four people in the United States have difficulty affording medication. Congress has made some good strides in addressing drug prices over the past few years, but more can and should be done. The sign-on urges members of the Senate to vote NO on PREVAIL and PERA.

PREVAIL: This bill curtails an important mechanism that allows interested parties an opportunity to challenge patents that they have evidence that should never have been granted in the first place. It offers a swifter, less expensive way to challenge a drug patent before a panel of patent experts in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) through the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Although a wrongly granted patent can be challenged in federal courts, these challenges take years and come with a median cost of $3.5 million per case. Meanwhile we all are deprived of access to a lower-priced generic or biosimilar competitor medication. Additionally, the bill seriously undermines citizens ability to promote competition by challenging patents. Members of the public have no standing in regular courts to challenge drug patents. The PTAB is our only recourse to asking the PTO to reconsider a patents validity. Yet, it is the public who bear the brunt of drug costs in co-pays, deductibles, and insurance premiums when an invalid patent continues to block generic and biosimilar competition.

PRERA: The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act expands patent eligibility far beyond what weve ever had since the U.S. patent law was created. PERA would allow patents on natural phenomena, laws of nature, and abstract ideas. Patents and monopoly pricing that goes with it, should be reserved for true novel human innovation as patent law originally intended. Aspects of nature and general concepts are not inventions but merely the elements used when creating something new that can then be submitted in a patent application. PERA opens the door to allow an individual or corporation to acquire exclusive rights to aspects of nature and information about our own bodies. This is a radical departure from historical and international norms and the implications are far-reaching and untested. At a minimum, by expanding patent eligibility beyond the limits we have today, pharmaceutical companies would have increased ability to create dense patent thickets and more opportunities to obtain a patent which could be abused with product-hopping tactics. Rather than expanding the subject matter for patents so broadly, Congress should ensure the patent applications that are filed are not being used simply to game the system.

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: Two sign-on letters addressing private insurance companies systemic delays and denials of health care to the people on their Medicare Advantage plans. The letters call on Congress and the Administration to continue to rein in overbilling in the Medicare Advantage program and use the costs savings to improve traditional Medicare by adding a low out of pocket cap and expanding benefits to dental, vision and hearing. You can use this form to sign-on to both of them. The main difference in the letters is that the Congressional letter includes only legislative recommendations and the letter to President Biden includes both legislative and administrative policy recommendations.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), U.S. SENATE, President of the U.S., U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

JOHN LEWIS NATIONAL DAY OF COMMEMORATION AND ACTION: Advocated for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act at a public witness on July 17.

NON-CITIZEN VOTING: Letter to Gov. Youngkin re: his Executive Order 35, creating a narrative of removing ineligible voters, without much transparency. He is trying insert the issue of non-citizen voting into the election in Virginia. There is obvious concern that this could spread to other states. Is the order necessary? Over 6,300 individuals have been removed, what specific procedures are used to identify individuals? What steps are taken to ensure naturalized citizens are not removed, etc.?

VOTER SUPPRESSION - ARMED RAIDS TARGETING LATINO LEADERS: Letter urging Attorney General Garland to investigate Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons actions, which appear to involve voter suppression and civil rights violations.

The letter details recent troubling incidents, including raids on LULAC members and the purge of nearly a million voters from Texas rolls.

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

IN SUPPORT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH-JUSTICE CARE (H.R. 6451): This legislation advocates for redirecting interventions for mental health crises away from law enforcement agencies. Instead, it suggests deploying trained social workers and professionals to handle such situations, thereby promoting more effective and compassionate responses to individuals in crisis.

IN SUPPORT OF PASSAGE OF H.R. 8061 / S. 4514, THE CRIME VICTIMS FUND STABILIZATION ACT OF 2024: Urged network to contact House and Senate offices in support of this bill.

The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) is the primary source of federal funding for victim services, supporting survivors of domestic violence, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, and other serious crimes. However, due to a significant drop in deposits into the Crime Victims Fund (CVF), funding for these critical services has been severely cut.

The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act would help restore the CVF by temporarily adding excess funds from the False Claims Act to the Crime Victims Fund to ensure that vital victim services remain available. This is not taxpayer money--it comes from penalties paid by wrongdoers, and it is essential for supporting victims.

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

ADVOCACY IN SUPPORT OF S. 1146, THE FIND AND PROTECT FOSTER YOUTH ACT: worked with Sen. Cornyn's office and Vista Maria on an advocacy strategy (bill lead is Sen Cornyn). Sent action alert to network urging them to contact House offices to support the bill.

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.

23. Name of each previously reported individual who is no longer expected to act as a lobbyist for the client

26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client

28. Name of each previously reported foreign entity that no longer owns, or controls, or is affiliated with the registrant, client or affiliated organization

29. Have any of the lobbyists listed on this report been convicted in a Federal or State Court of an offense involving bribery, extortion, embezzlement, an illegal kickback, tax evasion, fraud, a conflict of interest, making a false statement, perjury, or money laundering?
No Yes

First Name	Last Name	Suffix	Covered Official Position (if applicable)	New
Fran	Eskin-Royer

First Name	Last Name	Suffix	Covered Official Position (if applicable)	New
Fran	Eskin-Royer

First Name	Last Name	Suffix	Covered Official Position (if applicable)	New
Fran	Eskin-Royer

First Name	Last Name	Suffix	Covered Official Position (if applicable)	New
Fran	Eskin-Royer

First Name	Last Name	Suffix	Covered Official Position (if applicable)	New
Fran	Eskin-Royer