National Call-In Day March 8 on Federal Budget Priorities

Washington, D.C., March 2 - People of faith are being asked to participate in a National Call-In Day on Tuesday, March 8 to tell Members of Congress that the federal budget is a moral document and should reflect the priorities of the American people.

The “Let Justice Roll: Faith and Community Voices Against Poverty” campaign, which is sponsored by the National Council of Churches USA and the Center for Community Change, is working in collaboration with local and state councils of churches and other faith-based and community groups to voice their concern that the federal budget proposed by the Bush Administration is morally misguided and misrepresents the true values of the American people.

Mark-up of the House and Senate budget resolutions will begin early next week.  The National Call-In Day has been planned to ask Senators and Representatives to produce a responsible budget resolution that maintains services to children and the elderly, keeps communities strong, includes fair budget rules that don't favor tax cuts over meeting our commitments, and accomplishes deficit reduction in a fair and balanced manner.

On March 8, participants can call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or contact their representatives directly. Contact information can be found at www.senate.gov or www.house.gov

Those who participate in the National Call-In Day are urged to say to their Members of Congress:

Do not make deep cuts in mandatory programs: People of faith are deeply concerned about cuts to programs like Medicaid, child care, food stamps, adoption assistance, foster care, and the Earned Income Tax Credit that would reduce services to millions of people.

Do not make deep cuts in domestic discretionary programs: These cuts would result in a significant loss of support for education, veterans' medical care, law enforcement, transportation, environmental protection, and other important services that affect millions of people.

Do not make harmful and unfair changes in budget rules: Caps on spending and one-sided PAYGO rules that only apply to spending increases would force deep cuts in vital service to vulnerable Americans and would be fiscally irresponsible.

Deficit reduction must be fair: We support deficit reduction, but only if it is fair and balanced and takes into consideration the current and future well-being of all Americans, not just a privileged few.  

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EDITOR’S NOTE: A National Call-In Day on the FY2006 Budget also was held March 2. For more information about the March 8 National Call-In Day, contact Rev. Marvin Silver, United Church of Christ, (202) 543-1517. Media should call the Rev. Leslie Tune, National Council of Churches USA, at (202) 544-2350, ext. 11.