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Church leaders oppose federal budget bill

Jan. 31, 2006

NOTE: A photograph is available at http://umns.umc.org.

By United Methodist News Service

Five mainline denomination leaders are urging members of Congress to
oppose the federal budget bill because of its impact on the poor.

James Winkler, chief executive of the United Methodist Board of Church
and Society, was among the signers of a Jan. 29 letter sent to members
of the House of Representatives.

The letter urges the defeat of the Budget Reconciliation Spending
Reduction package for Fiscal Year 2006, scheduled to come before the
House on Feb. 1.

Under the budget reduction package, states would be able to cut benefits
for most of the 28 million children enrolled in Medicaid and may be
forced to shift funds from child care needs to new work requirements
under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Other signers were the Most Rev. Frank Griswold, presiding bishop,
Episcopal Church; the Rev. Mark Hanson, presiding bishop, Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America; the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk
of the general assembly, Presbyterian Church, USA; and the Rev. John
Thomas, president, United Church of Christ.

"Last year, we called on the President and the Congress to put before
the American people a budget that represents the values and priorities
of the nation," the letter stated. "Many of you have expressed your
concerns regarding the severity of the cuts considered in the budget
reconciliation process."

While the church leaders expressed gratitude that the Food Stamp Program
was spared, "we believe the final legislation is harsher for those most
vulnerable and in need than previously understood," the letter said.

The budget agreement "severely limits states' ability to tailor state
programs to meet the individual needs of the families they serve, likely
forces deep cuts in child care assistance for low-income working
families who do not receive TANF assistance and allows states to deny
contraception to poor women through Medicaid for the first time in the
history of the program," the letter said.

The church leaders also expressed concern over delays in some
Supplemental Security Income payments to poor individuals with
disabilities and the difficulties low and moderate income students could
have receiving or paying back student loans.

By defeating the Conference Report on Senate bill 1932, House members
"have an opportunity to redeem the image of Congress in the eyes of the
nation by rejecting cuts to those who suffer in sickness, live in
hunger, struggle in poverty, live in the cold and seek brighter futures
through education," the letter stated.

News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.

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United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org