In response to Hurricane Katrina, Congress delayed consideration of a “FY’ 06 Federal Budget Reconciliation” package that includes deep cuts to vital programs that serve the working poor, children and seniors. Leadership in the House used the delay to call for $50 Billion in cuts - up from the $35 Billion originally planned. This week, Congressional Committees begin considering cuts to programs under their jurisdiction. Senators and Representatives need to hear from you: Reconciliation and it’s reductions in key programs must not go forward! Click here to send a message to your members!
Last week in an interview with reporters Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold called on Congress to stop the budget reconciliation process: “Congress and the President must come together and focus on poverty that exists across the nation, not exacerbate poverty by passing a budget that further impoverishes one group of poor people in order to help those impoverished or further impoverished by the hurricanes…as Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church I feel morally obliged to call upon Congress to abandon the budget reconciliation process.”
Even before Hurricane Katrina hit, the U.S. Census Bureau reported in detail that poverty in the United States is growing: 37.0 million people lived in poverty in 2004, an increase of more than one million people since 2003. The potential $50 Billion in cuts being considered in the Budget Reconciliation Bill will strain to the breaking point programs that are vital to survivors of Hurricane Katrina -- including Medicaid, the Food Stamp Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Join thousands of advocates by contacting your members of Congress today and urge them to stop “the budget reconciliation process” and to oppose the budget reconciliation package if it comes to floor. TO SEND A MESSAGE TO YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES CLICK HERE.
