Congress Voted Against Average Americans

In Favor Of Billionaires

 

Our choices would have been different, we side with love

Washington, D.C. — On February 25th, the majority in the House of Representatives advanced their budget resolution (H. Con. Res. 14). The proposal, which passed along party lines, would enact $2.5 trillion in cuts for critical human needs programs, including Medicaid, supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP), and education (Pell), to fund tax cuts for billionaires and corporations and immigration enforcement. It will cost more than $5 trillion over ten years if enacted.

This result moves the U.S. one key step closer to final approval. The Senate passed its proposal last week but has a smaller appetite for deep Medicaid cuts. Now, the majority in both chambers must reconcile their differences to pass a negotiated measure.

On this matter, Pablo DeJesús, Executive Director of UUSJ, stated:

“Yesterday, the majority in the House passed an extreme budget resolution that voters did not want and fails average Americans. They did it to fund giveaways for the 1% and finance counterproductive immigration policy. With this vote, their preferences and sympathies are confirmed.

217 Yeas, 215 Nays: We were so close. Three-plus votes from a posture of moral courage would have done it. So we can not give up or lose hope for the future work.

The math says volumes: A micro-block of four hard-right holdout votes almost derailed the planned floor action. Where was the micro-block of moderates in the majority? Where were the beneficiaries — the members in the majority whose districts contain significant Medicaid, CHIP, or SNAP recipient populations?

This plan will impose real suffering on millions of ordinary Americans — cutting Medicaid and SNAP, the Affordable Care Act, and CHIP, along with Pell — all to please the billionaires and supercharge misguided immigration enforcement.

Let me be clear: Unitarian Universalists side with love, which is central to our religious values. We are steadfast in our solidarity with immigrant communities, unwavering in our commitment to protecting the vulnerable, and resolute in our compassion for those in greatest need.

We are with the people who need vital healthcare programs. We are with the people on the precipice of hunger and food insecurity. We want to see working people at the heart of our economy. We want a vibrant, inclusive, democracy.

The American people are watching — we Unitarian Universalists are watching and won’t be silent. We will advocate, agitate, educate, and witness because our faith tradition is committed to love.”

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