USCCB bishops, other Christian leaders: protect the poor during budget negotiations
February 27, 2013
Three heads of committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops joined with other Catholic, Orthodox, mainline Protestant, and evangelical leaders in signing “A Pastoral Letter about Faith, Finances, and the Federal Budget.”
Assuring the president and congressional leaders of their prayers, the signatories thanked them “for reducing the deficit while limiting cuts to programs serving poor people.”
“We understand that the country’s fiscal health will require further cost savings and additional revenue,” the signatories continued. “To reduce the deficit, we need revenue and savings that don’t increase poverty … Medicare can be reformed in ways that do not harm those who depend on the health care coverage it provides, especially seniors with modest means. Any savings in Medicaid should avoid changes harming low-income beneficiaries either directly — by cutting benefits or eligibility — or indirectly by shifting costs to states.”
“We strongly affirm the government’s responsibility concerning poor people,” they added. “Please, protect the poor and help create the opportunities that make them poor no more.”
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Further information:
- Christian Leaders Urge Bipartisan Solutions That Protect Poor People As Sequestration Looms (USCCB)
- A Pastoral Letter about Faith, Finances, and the Federal Budget (Circle of Protection)
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Posted by: unum -
Feb. 27, 2013 6:44 PM ET USA
The bishops have signed on to a letter that says, "First, we thank you for reducing the deficit while limiting cuts to programs serving poor people." That doesn't jibe with CBO projections of the deficit over the next 10 years. Our religious leaders should leave the spin to the politicians. Lying to the American people is not a part of their job descriptions!
