USCCB committees: cut deficit, but not at expense of anti-poverty programs

November 15, 2012

As the United States faces the possibility of “sequestration,” or automatic budget cuts scheduled to take effect in January, the chairmen of two committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops are urging members of the House of Representatives to “enact responsible deficit reduction that protects poor persons from cuts and future generations from unsustainable debts.”

Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice, and Bishop Richard Pates of Des Moines, chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Human Development, expressed concern about the future of numerous domestic federal programs:

• “Drastic cuts to affordable housing and community development programs, child and maternal health initiatives, and workforce training would deprive millions of Americans of resources they depend on to live in a manner worthy of their human dignity … Programs such as Section 8 housing vouchers, the Women, Infant and Children’s (WIC) program, and community health centers help to keep children and families with a roof over their heads, with food on the table, and in good health”
• “Educational services for at-risk students expand educational opportunities and participation of nonpublic schools, but public and non-public school students and their families would suffer from cuts: Title I-A supports low-income students struggling academically and they would lose remedial tutoring services; Title II-A supports teachers’ professional development; and IDEA supports students with disabilities.”
• “Members of both parties have supported effective antipoverty programs that target assistance to people living in or near poverty, including but not limited to the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), and Pell Grants. These and other programs that aid people in escaping poverty through education, training, and work should be protected from cuts. These initiatives reward work and allow families to live in dignity.

Instead, “to achieve savings, policy makers should consider cutting nuclear weapons programs, direct agricultural subsidies, and other unnecessary spending,” the bishops added.

In their November 13 letter, Bishop Blaire and Bishop Pates also lamented potential cuts to international anti-poverty programs.

“Sequestration would also severely affect our country's poverty-focused international assistance programs that promote human life and dignity, advance solidarity with poorer nations, and enhances global stability and security,” they said. “The cuts envisioned in sequestration would mean 276,500 fewer people receiving HIV/AIDS treatment, potentially leading to 63,000 more deaths and 124,000 more orphans; and 656,000 fewer children having access to primary school, making their road to overcoming poverty that much steeper.”

 

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Further information:

• Bishop Blaire, Bishop Pates Urge Congress To Protect The Poor, Future Generations As Sequestration Looms (USCCB)
• Budget Control Act of 2011 (Wikipedia)