We Deserve Healthcare, Housing, and Food, Not Brinkmanship

The majority has doubled down on harm in this Government Shutdown.

Washington, DC – The deadline for passing a Continuing Resolution to fund the government lapsed last night, at midnight on September 30.

Today, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ) called on congressional leaders to remember the vulnerable, continue negotiating, and reject the moral failure that jeopardizes the well-being of so many in favor of a radical transformation of our public good. Congress should not entertain this deeply damaging agenda, which will cause suffering for average Americans.

Pablo DeJesús, Executive Director of UUSJ, said in response to the shutdown:

“This government shutdown is the most recent example of National leadership, the congressional majority, leveraging public programs, healthcare, nutrition assistance, and housing, among other services, to continue dismantling our government. They are doing that rather than serving the millions of people they were elected to represent and protect.

At the core of this fight is the urgent need to extend the Affordable Care Act premium tax credits — a key mechanism that helps keep health coverage affordable. However, this contest is also about how we view each other, and whether or not we accept the teachings of many faith traditions that we belong to one another and that every person deserves compassion and care.

In our view as Unitarian Universalists, basic healthcare is a human right, housing for all is a righteous expectation, and food security is a matter of dignity and respect, especially for women, children, and families.

In the wealthiest nation on the planet, perhaps in history, ignoring the trials and tribulations of millions of people is a moral failure. Risking their health insurance by disregarding increasing costs, hindering the ability to provide housing, and taking food off tables, while grocery costs skyrocket, is proof enough of that failure.

UUSJ continues to support bipartisan funding efforts and negotiations that protect healthcare, housing, and nutrition for regular Americans. We will advocate for and agitate on behalf of that and more. We call on like-minded legislators to reject the systemic, widespread harm being threatened and remain firm in their resolve to end this shutdown while also protecting the long-term interests of the vulnerable.

Love, compassion, and the caring customs of our ministries–our faith tradition–compel us to be firm in defending our neighbors, the vulnerable, the harmed, and the oppressed. Yes, to side with justice but also to remain open to repair and right relationship.

Therefore, we invite Congress, especially the majority, to come back to legislating with real solutions, a viable deal that protects women, children, families, and defends those being othered or scapegoated.”

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Established in 1999, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice is a network of Unitarian Universalist individuals and congregations that lifts up the light of reason, the warmth of community, and the flame of hope to advance equitable national policies and actions aligned with UU values through witness, education, and advocacy. We envision a just, compassionate, and sustainable world community.

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