On returning from recess last week, the House began its formal work of preparing its budget resolution.  While many moderates in the House have been speaking out against the cuts included in the President's budget, the House Budget Committee approved a budget on Wednesday that closely follows the President's suggestions. It will force cuts in human needs programs. Its funding for annual appropriations is $9 billion short of the cost just to keep up the current level of services next year - for education, food packages for the poor, housing, child care, meals on wheels, and many other services. It also forces $4 billion in cuts over 5 years from a category of funding that includes basic entitlements such as unemployment insurance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or income support for poor elderly or people with disabilities. 

The budget is expected to reach the House floor sometime this week--probably late Wednesday or Thursday.   If members who voted against the last round of painful reductions are joined by those who have gone on record against cuts now, this hard proposal will not pass.  We need your help to keep the pressure on moderate members to get them to support a better budget!

Some examples of the impact of these cuts and key House targets are available from our friends at the Coalition on Human Needs  at: http://www.chn.org/images/wecanstopthebudget060330.pdf and http://www.chn.org/pdf/FY07BudgetAnalysis.pdf.

          ACTION NEEDED:         

Please call your representative and urge him/her to vote against any budget that will make harmful cuts to human needs programs. A toll-free number has been generously provided by many of our coalition partners - (800) 459-1887 - that will connect you with the Capitol Hill switchboard. A sample message is provided below, but remember to personalize your comments as much as possible, particularly if you know a program or a person who will be impacted by the cuts.

Sample Message:

"I am calling to urge Rep. _____ to vote against the Budget Committee's budget resolution.  It forces cuts in nutrition aid, health care, education/training, housing, and other essential services.  Its funding is so low that vulnerable people - infants, struggling workers, the elderly - will lose needed services.  Please support efforts to restore funding for domestic programs and oppose additional tax cuts that deepen the deficit and take funds away from needed investments I hope Rep. _____ will work for a better budget that will help ensure that the basic needs of all are met."

          FINAL WEEK OF ACTION ON IMMIGRATION         

This is the final week of debate in the Senate on the immigration reform bill and the outcome remains uncertain.  We have been hearing that Senate offices have been receiving a high volume of calls and letters from those supporting the harsh enforcement-only legislation passed by the House, so your calls and letters in support of comprehensive and compassionate immigration reform are all the more important. 

          ACTION NEEDED:          

Please call or write your Senators and urge them to support just immigration reform, if you have not done so already.

Write: A sample letter is available on our action website for you to edit and send.  Please personalize the letter as much as possible for greater impact.

Call: The Senate Switchboard can be reached at 202.224.3121 - just asked to be connected to your Senator's office.  Additional talking points and information are available at our website or the USCCB’s Justice for Immigrants website.