WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United Methodist General Board of Church & Society is among more than 1,300 organizations from every state that have signed a letter urging Congress to approve a budget that adheres to four basic principles intended to reduce poverty and inequality and spur broadly shared economic growth.
A large gap exists between what the groups call for and the budget plans approved by the House and Senate Budget Committees
To be delivered to Congress just as the House and Senate take up budget resolutions, a large gap exists between what the groups call for and the budget plans approved by the House and Senate Budget Committees.
The coalition, dubbed Strengthening America’s Values & Economy (SAVE) for All, is calling on Congress to approve a budget that protects low-income and vulnerable people, invests in broadly shared prosperity and jobs, increases revenues from fair sources, and seeks responsible savings by targeting waste in the Pentagon and elsewhere.
The list of signers consists of more than 250 faith-based groups, 400 service providers, 217 national groups, and a number of labor unions, policy experts, community groups, and other advocates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Stop sequestration cuts
SAVE for All asks Congress to stop the sequestration cuts that in the past have denied Head Start, rental-housing vouchers, and meals to homebound seniors to hundreds of thousands of people.
The House and Senate Budget Committee proposals are the opposite of what the nation needs.
The Budget Committee proposals would cut domestic programs even more deeply than sequestration would require.
“The House and Senate Budget Committee proposals are the opposite of what the nation needs, and should be rejected,” said Deborah Weinstein, executive director of the Coalition on Human Needs, an organization that has helped to convene SAVE for All. “Instead of protecting low-income people, their budgets increase poverty for millions. Instead of investing in economic gains for all, the House and Senate budget proposals slash trillions of dollars from health care, education, housing and most other domestic needs.”
A truly responsible budget
Weinstein said a truly responsible budget will raise the revenues needed to invest in a stronger economy for all, and will redirect funds from wasteful areas such as Pentagon excesses to the services and rebuilding the United States needs.
“The Budget Committee majorities have made their top priorities tax breaks for the wealthy and more military spending than the Pentagon has even asked for,” Weinstein emphasized. “The SAVE for All letter tells Congress that organizations across the country seek responsible investments, not harsh cuts.”
For the text of the letter and more than 1,330 signers: SAVE for All.