NCC leader expresses 'deep forebodings' about next round of U.S. budget cuts

Social justice news
February 2006

Catholic Health Association 'disappointed' by State of the Union
Catholic Charities chief calls House Budget "morally objectionable
Haiti's "Father Gerry" released for treatment in U.S.
Hello Washington! U2's Bono rocks the capitol
Jubilee USA to G8: Don't delay debt cancellation!
NCC leader expresses 'deep forebodings' about next round of U.S. budget cuts
Research center offers 'first comprehensive approach' to climate change
Thousands flee mounting violence in south Darfur
Vatican asks UN to find cause of 'small arms' race

NCC leader expresses 'deep forebodings'
about next round of U.S. budget cuts
New York, February 3, 2006 – As if the razor-thin vote in the House to cut $39 billion in programs for the poor wasn’t bad enough, the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches USA has expressed “deep forebodings” about the next round of budget cuts.

President Bush is expected to release his 2007 budget on Monday, February 6, and the White House has already hinted the President will call for cuts in farm subsidies, food stamps, Medicare and Medicaid.

“It’s as if the President wasn’t listening to his own State of the Union Message,” said the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar. “He acknowledged that many U.S. citizens ‘have felt excluded by the promise of our country,’ and he promised to ‘work for the day when all Americans are protected by justice, equal in hope, and rich in opportunity.’”

Edgar said the words “rang hollow” in light of cuts for benefits programs in the 2006 budget, and the prospect of deeper cuts in 2007.

“It was encouraging that more members of the House—Republicans and Democrats—voted against these cuts this week after voting for them in December,” Edgar said. “I hope that’s an indication that an ancient message from Scripture is getting through to them: those who remove hope and opportunity from the poor are acting in opposition to God’s law.”

Back to page top