Since October of last year, the United States Congress has used short-term funding agreements to avoid a government shutdown. It’s time for Congress to start passing full-year appropriations bills that provide enough funding for programs that millions of people rely on. Even if you have contacted your Congressional delegation before, it is important for them to hear from you again.
We are at a pivotal moment in the appropriations process. While Congress has reached an agreement for a stopgap measure, budgeting deadlines have only been extended a short period. The current agreement has extended the budgeting deadline using a laddered approach with the first set of appropriations bills expiring on Friday, March 8th, 2024 and the second set expiring on Friday, March 22nd, 2024. The government will shut down if Congress fails to act.
As people of faith, we must call on our elected leaders to work together to prioritize the well-being of God’s people and God’s planet. Our United Methodist Social Principles affirm, "The church should continually exert a strong ethical influence upon the state, supporting policies and programs deemed to be just and opposing policies and programs that are unjust." (Book of Resolutions #5012) The current appropriations process is antithetical to these ideals, playing politics with people’s lives.
We should persist in our commitment to advocating for our faith values and encourage Congress to oppose policies that negatively impact our communities. Instead, we should advocate for programs that foster human flourishing. Let's call on our leaders to prioritize people over politics and enact legislation that promotes community well-being, aligning with principles of abundance and grace in God's economy. Take action by using the provided alerts to remind your elected representatives of their responsibility to serve the common good.
Environmental Justice
Action Alert: Tell Congress to Fund Climate Justice
We have a small window of time to build support for climate funding including for the recently established loss and damage fund. By speaking up now we can shape US budget priorities and build on the momentum of last December’s UN Climate Conference where world leaders – including from the U.S. – agreed to operationalize the loss and damage fund to support communities devasted by the climate crisis. Congress must prioritize the health and security of God’s people and planet over the profits and greed of extractive and exploitative industries.
Economic Justice
Action Alert: Tell the Senate to Act to Reduce Child Poverty
The United States House of Representatives passed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act (H.R. 7024), which included a proposal to expand the Child Tax Credit to reduce child poverty. If passed by the Senate, this bill will lift as many as 400,00 children out of poverty in the first year, rising to 500,000 in 2025.2 We must advocate that this bill is passed in the Senate. We must call for urgent passage of the expanded CTC.
Civil and Human Rights
The United States asylum system is under attack. For too long, we have watched the erosion of a staple component of our immigration system. Since the former administration, there has been an intentional and debilitating movement to strike down access for asylum seekers to the U.S. This has caused devastating effects among both people and processes.
Peace with Justice
Action Alert: Tell Congress to Call for a Ceasefire in Israel and Palestine
As the violence continues in Israel and Palestine, call on your Members of Congress to support ceasefire, de-escalation, and restraint by all involved. We pray for the innocent civilians, many of them children, who have been caught in the crossfire. As we pray, we must also remain steadfast in our witness for peace.
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