ELCA NEWS SERVICE

January 30, 2006  

ELCA Presiding Bishop Urges Defeat of 'Budget Reconciliation' Package
06-013-AL*

     WASHINGTON, D.C. (ELCA) - The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding
bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the
leaders of four other mainline church denominations called on the
U.S. House of Representatives to defeat the fiscal year 2006
Budget Reconciliation package, which, the church leaders said,
cuts safety net programs for the poor.
     In a Jan. 29 letter to House members the leaders said, "We
write to each of you now to urge you to listen to both your
hearts and your constituents, and oppose once and for all the FY
'06 Budget Reconciliation Spending Reduction package when it
comes before the House on February 1."
     Joining Hanson were the Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold,
presiding bishop, Episcopal Church; the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick,
stated clerk of the general assembly, Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.); the Rev. John H. Thomas, general minister and
president, United Church of Christ; and James Winkler, general
secretary, General Board of Church and Society, United Methodist
Church.
     "At each step of the complicated budget process we called on
Congress to reject cuts to programs that serve the working poor,
children and the elderly as unjust, particularly at a time when
both the hurricanes and the U.S. Census Report on poverty brought
vividly before us the need to renew our commitment to 'the least
of these' among us," the leaders said.
     While noting they were grateful the Food Stamp Program was
spared from cuts in the final legislation, the leaders criticized
cuts to other programs benefiting the poor, including Medicaid,
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and student loans.
     "You now have an opportunity to redeem the image of Congress
in the eyes of the nation by rejecting cuts to those who suffer
in sickness, live in hunger, struggle in poverty, live in the
cold and seek brighter futures through education," they said.
---
     The U.S. church leaders' letter to members of the U.S. House
of Representatives is at
http://www.ELCA.org/advocacy/issues/domestic/06-01-30-budget.html
on the ELCA Web site.

* Annie Lynsen is director for grassroots advocacy and
communication, ELCA Washington (D.C.) Office.

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