NCC Dismayed Over House Budget Cuts
The House approved almost $40 billion in spending cuts in an all-night session Monday, as they adjourned for the year.
The House approved almost $40 billion in spending cuts in an all-night session Monday, as they adjourned for the year.
In a narrow vote, 212-206, the five-year budget plan passed for $39.7 billion, down from the $50 billion that had been formerly proposed. The measure would affect Medicare by a decrease of $6.4 billion in spending and Medicaid by $4.8 billion and also shave $12.7 billion out of federal student loan programs.
The general secretary of the National Council of Churches USA expressed disappointment with the House move.
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"We are disappointed and dismayed that the House of Representatives voted to pass the 2006 fiscal year budget – a budget that is immoral and hurts those who it should be helping," said the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar in a released statement Monday.
Hundreds of faith leaders had voiced themselves on behalf of the poor families in America for the past year, opposing the budget cuts in outrage. In their most recent act of showing disapproval to the measure that would affect hundreds of thousands of poverty-stricken homes, religious leaders and activists held national and local prayer vigils last week, which had culminated to the kneel-in prayer event on the steps of the Cannon House building in Washington, D.C. More than 100 were arrested and later released.
"Rather than being fiscally responsible, members of the House have been morally reprehensible by cutting programs that help those most in need while giving tax cuts to the wealthiest among us," said Edgar.
Calling the House decision an "abysmal budget," Edgar remains hopeful of the Senate, which had originally passed a more modest $35 billion in cuts. The Senate is expected to vote Tuesday on the budget bill.
"We will continue to pray that the Senate will respond differently - that they will have the courage to make a difference in the lives of children, the elderly, veterans, and low-income families by voting against this budget that will undoubtedly have a devastating impact on their lives."
Other measures passed by House lawmakers include $29 billion for hurricane relief, a $453 billion defense spending bill and $3.8 billion for bird flu preventive measures.
