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Bishop Stephen Blaire, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), said that proposed budget cuts recently passed by the House of Representatives “failed to meet [the] moral criteria” set forth by the USCCB.
In four letters addressed to leaders of congressional committees, Bishop Blaire weighed in on several cuts to specific programs:
“The Catholic bishops urge you to protect funding for programs that serve poor and vulnerable people, such as Housing for the Elderly (Section 202) and People with Disabilities (Section 811), Housing for People with AIDS (HOPWA), Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (HUD-VASH), McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance, and Tenant- and Project-based Rental Assistance, as well as other programs that are vital to ensuring that vulnerable Americans have safe and affordable housing.”
“I also reiterate our concern with proposals to increase the minimum amount of rent that can be charged to families receiving housing assistance.”
“Cuts to nutrition programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will hurt hungry children, poor families, vulnerable seniors and workers who cannot find employment. These cuts are unjustified and wrong. If cuts are necessary, the committee should first look towards reducing and targeting commodity and subsidy programs that disproportionately go to large growers and agribusiness.”
“The bishops’ conference urges you to resist significant cuts to both domestic and international food aid and conservation and rural development programs. Major reductions at this time of economic turmoil and rising poverty will hurt hungry, poor and vulnerable people in our nation and around the world.”
“The bishops’ conference supports farm safety net programs such as crop insurance and disaster assistance that are targeted to the needs of small to medium sized farmers and ranchers. Savings should be used to fund hunger and nutrition programs that serve people in need.”
Joined by Bishop Richard Pates, chairman of the USCCB’s International Committee on Justice and Peace, Bishop Blaire also emphasized the importance of six domestic programs (WIC, TEFAP, SNAP, CSFP, CSP, and VAPG) and four international programs (PL-480 Title II, Safe Box, Local and Regional Purchase, and 202e Funds).
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