wfn.org | ELCA Presiding Bishop's Statement on Passage Of Budget

[<NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

Reconcilation Bill
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

December 21, 2005

ELCA Presiding Bishop's Statement on Passage Of Budget Reconcilation Bill

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America, released this statement today following U.S. Senate
passage of the budget reconciliation bill:

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) steadfast opposition
to the budget reconciliation process has had a direct impact in the U.S.
Congress. Countless people of faith, including myself and all 65 ELCA
synod bishops, spoke out against the process, which threatened cuts to
food stamps, Medicaid, student loans, and other programs that help people
living in poverty throughout the United States. We were appalled that
these cuts were proposed in order to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest 3
percent of Americans, and that the deficit would actually increase,
contrary to the stated purpose of the reconciliation process. As people of
faith, we found tax cuts for the rich paid for by slashing safety net
programs to be immoral.

Our voices of opposition were heard, and have provided a tangible sign
that the Church is living out the Gospel of Jesus Christ and "proclaiming
the greatness of the Lord" in our own day. Though some spending cuts
ultimately passed in the Senate, food stamp cuts were eliminated from the
final version. For this, we give thanks to the ELCA leaders and members
who spoke out, including the ELCA Conference of Bishops, and all Lutherans
who have called and written to members of Congress. We also give thanks
for the broad ecumenical partnership among Christians working together
from the shared scriptural values of justice, compassion, mercy and
hospitality. And finally, we give thanks for those members of Congress who
heard our cry on behalf of the poor and who voted against this process, in
some cases under great pressure and at great political risk. We thank them
for their courage and compassion, while we continue to pray for all public
officials.

Despite the food stamp victory, the remaining cuts - including cuts to
Medicare, child support enforcement, and student loans - are devastating
to the "least among us." In the current version, people living in poverty
across the United States will see shrinking Medicaid benefits coupled with
increased out-of-pocket costs many will be unable to afford. Less money
spent on child support enforcement means less child support money going to
the children who need it. And cuts to student loans will prevent many from
breaking the cycle of poverty through the pursuit of higher education.

The budget reconciliation measure needs to be reconsidered by the House of
Representatives due to a substantive change made by the Senate. It is
unclear when this action will occur in the House of Representatives.

The 2006 budget process is not over, and the 2007 budget process will
begin soon. The deficit increase resulting from the budget/tax
reconciliation process will create more pressure in next year's budget to
make more cuts in spending for safety net programs. As people of faith, we
will continue to fight for an honest and moral budget in 2006, 2007 and
beyond.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
---
     Bishop Hanson's statement is at
http://www.ELCA.org/bishop/m_051221.html on the ELCA Web site.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog