Three committees began and completed their budget resolution markup process this week. The committees: Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Agriculture, were considering sweeping programmatic changes and funding cuts to essential social service programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Prior to the markups, DHN member staff delivered interfaith letters to various congressional offices urging representatives to protect these key programs.
This week, DHN members showed up to the markups as visible witnesses to the damage these policy changes would implement. DHN members gathered in the halls of congress to sing songs of joy, pray for those who would be impacted by these policy changes, and stay in the committee rooms as the markups went on. Some wore custom shirts expressing support for these programs.
Pictured: DHN staff praying together outside the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday, May 13th. Photo Credits: Hannah Santos, UCC.
“Faith communities working together are a powerful force forgood,” said Laura Peralta-Shulte, Senior Director of Public Policy & Government Relations at NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, on why DHN members showed up to the markups. “We are grounded by a shared belief that all people have dignity and deserve love and compassion. Our work in Washington and with faithful justice seekers from around the country is to pursue public policies that bring justice and peace.”
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the budgetresolution as approved by these committees could see 13.7 million people lose Medicaid coverage, and according to Farm Policy News, SNAP would be cut by an estimated $300 billion. DHN also has major concerns over the implementation of the Child Tax Credit, changes to education programs, and more.
