Not Just Numbers: the People and the Programs the Budget Can Protect

News of Speaker of the House John Boehner’s (R-OH) resignation from Congress next month shocked the country. It raised questions about the direction of political leadership within Congress, and it has important implications for current federal budget negotiations. The New York Times reported that Speaker Boehner’s announcement made it possible for a continuing budget resolution to be agreed upon in both the House and the Senate to fund the government until December 11. And, importantly, this agreement will maintain all funding to Planned Parenthood, a women’s health organization that provides vital services to women around the country.

Unfortunately, this continuing resolution does not represent progress, as it merely funds government at last year’s spending levels through December. In other words, certain government programs that help vulnerable Americans will be not receive additional money to maintain these programs until Congress comes to an agreement to ease the crippling budget cuts called sequestration that were a part of the Budget Control Act of 2011. The Budget Control Act of 2011 sequestration led to crippling budget cuts for Head Start Kindergarten, long term unemployment benefits, health and science research, heating assistance, meals on wheels and many other programs.

The country has experienced relief from these spending cuts, thanks to a bipartisan agreement negotiated two years ago, but that agreement expires this year and must be revisited. So, while the government will not shut down this week, Congress’ failure to pass a budget through the regular appropriations process weighs heavily on America’s most vulnerable. It is simply not acceptable that inaction will lead to billions of dollars of cuts in important services provided by all agencies of the government. If Congress decided to allow the government to be funded by a continuing resolution for the entire year, that would represent a $9 billion dollar cut to all non-defense programs.

While the government will most likely be funded by a continuing resolution through December 11, we must remind our representatives that congressional inaction has real consequences. Pope Francis reminded Congress last week that legislative activity must always be focused on seeking the growth of all people:

“A political society endures when it seeks, as a vocation, to satisfy common needs by stimulating the growth of all its members, especially those in situations of greater vulnerability or risk. Legislative activity is always based on care for the people.”

Jewish text reminds us that when we ignore those who are vulnerable, we actually play a role in pushing God’s presence out of the world:.

“One who oppresses the poor affronts their Creator; but one that is gracious to the needy honors God” (Proverbs 14:31).

Over the coming months, Congress must pass a budget that is not only gracious to the needy, but provides the essential services on which all Americans rely and thrive. Take action today!