Association of Brethren Caregivers calls for defeat of 2006 Federal Budget.

The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) has issued a statement saying that it "stands alongside other religious leaders calling for the defeat of the 2006 Federal Budget." The association's concerns include that proposed budget cuts are attempting to balance the federal deficit at the expense of the poor.

ABC is inviting Brethren to join in a national "altar call" to prayer and worship on the budget issue on Dec. 14.

House and Senate versions of the budget differ and will be reconciled in committee. The budgets presently "call for cuts of $49.9 billion and $35 billion, respectively, in social programs that fund health care, food stamps, foster care for neglected children, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, enforcement of child support orders and student loans," ABC said. It added that according to a Nov. 9 Action Alert from the Brethren Witness/Washington Office of the Church of the Brethren General Board, "lawmakers intend to follow these program cuts with another tax cut of $70 billion that will primarily benefit the top 3 percent of taxpayers."

ABC is supporting a Dec. 6 letter signed by five Christian denominations calling for the budget "to reflect the nation's commitment to care for the poor and those in need, especially in light of the devastation and brokenness caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita"; and is supporting similar calls from the Brethren Witness/Washington Office.

The full statement follows:

"The Association of Brethren Caregivers stands alongside other religious leaders calling for the defeat of the 2006 Federal Budget as it is currently proposed. Being led by scripture that 'the Lord maintains the cause of the needy, and executes justice for the poor' (Psalm 140:12), ABC is concerned about the proposed budget, which cuts deeply into programs for the poor while offering tax breaks for the wealthy. ABC supports a December 6 letter signed by five denominations calling for the federal budget to reflect the nation's commitment to care for the poor and those in need, especially in light of the devastation and brokenness caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"Legislators are working to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the proposed 2006 federal budget that call for cuts of $49.9 billion and $35 billion, respectively, in social programs that fund health care, food stamps, foster care for neglected children, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, enforcement of child support orders and student loans. According to a Nov. 9 action alert from the Church of the Brethren General Board's Washington office, lawmakers intend to follow these program cuts with another tax cut of $70 billion that will primarily benefit the top 3 percent of taxpayers. As the Church of the Brethren agency that advocates for caring ministries, especially for the marginalized in society, ABC views the proposed budget cuts as attempts to balance the federal deficit at the expense of the poor.

"ABC echos the request of the Church of the Brethren Washington Office and asks for Brethren to prayerfully consider the issues around the proposed federal budget for 2006 and voice their opinions to their legislators. ABC also asks Brethren to pray for and take part in prayer vigils planned for Dec. 14 at the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., and around the country.

"Jim Wallis, editor of 'Sojourners' magazine is holding an 'altar call" from 8 a.m.to noon on Dec. 14, at the US Capitol, Washington, DC. Participants will pray for and ask legislators to reject the budget. Because the event may result in arrests for those who are willing, participants must attend a training session at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation at 8 a.m., Dec. 14. Prayer vigils are also being organized across the country. For information about Sojourners' altar call and vigils, visit www.sojo.net.

"The National Council of Churches USA also will bring together heads of communions to pray about the Fiscal Budget, Dec. 14 in the US Capitol's rotunda for the 'National Day of Silence.'

"The most recent US Census Bureau report on poverty presented hard numbers: 36 million Americans living below the poverty line. In light of this reality, ABC joins in asking these questions posed by religious leaders in their Dec. 6 letter to legislators and all people of faith:

"--How can Congress compromise on food stamps when the Congressional Budget Office estimates that 222,000 people, primarily low-income working families with children, and 70,000 legal immigrants, would lose food stamps if conferees follow the House budget?

"--How can Congress compromise between the $1 billion for heating subsidies for low-income people included in the House bill but not in the Senate, while knowing that heating bills are expected to rise 50 percent?

"--How can Congress compromise on Medicaid provisions that will force low-income patients to forego needed health care or medications, and relieve states of providing low-income children just above the poverty line with comprehensive preventive care and treatment?

"--How does Congress compromise when the House proposal includes deep cuts to child support enforcement that will likely push children deeper into poverty when, already, nearly one in five children in this nation live below the poverty line?

"The Washington Office's alert encourages Brethren to consider the 2000 Annual Conference Statement on Caring For the Poor, which encourages congregations to use 'their experience in ministry with the poor to inform themselves of the legislative and political issues having impact on the poor and speak to those issues with their legislators at local, state, and national levels. The biblical witness and our own experiences as a community of faith suggest that there is a corporate or societal responsibility to deal with the problems of the poor, such as the Year of Jubilee. This extends beyond personal, hands-on responses and includes advocacy on behalf of the poor.'

"Over the last several weeks, religious leaders across the nation have voiced their concerns over the proposed budget cuts.

"'This is not the time for the budget reconciliation process to create greater hardships for those who are already experiencing greater suffering. To do so is not only unjust, it is a sin,' stated an Oct. 19 letter signed by 17 denominational members of the National Council of Churches USA. The letter voiced opposition to the House's proposed $50 billion in budget cuts.

"'Let's be clear. It is a moral disgrace to take food from the mouths of hungry children to increase the luxuries of those feasting at a table overflowing with plenty,' wrote Wallis in the Nov. 30 issue of Sojomail, an electronic newsletter of 'Sojourners' magazine.

"For more scripture references to consider and copies of the letters and documents mentioned here, visit ABC's website at www.brethren-caregivers.org."

Source: 12/06/2005 Newsline
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