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February 7, 2007

Groups criticize Bush budget for cuts to domestic programs

by Daniel Burke
Religion News Service

WASHINGTON — A variety of faith groups are protesting President Bush's proposed $2.9 trillion budget, arguing that cuts in medical and anti-hunger programs would leave millions of Americans sick and hungry.
   
     The president’s budget, which was submitted to Congress Feb. 5, slashes spending on health care, education and housing. It also proposes drilling for oil in an Alaskan wildlife refuge and changing food-stamp eligibility rules.
   
     Rep. Charles Rangel, D-NY, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, told reporters the budget was “disingenuous.” With Democrats in control of Congress and the federal government’s purse strings, Bush’s proposal amounts to an opening salvo in the upcoming budget battle.
   
     That hasn’t stopped faith-based advocacy groups like Catholic Charities USA, Bread for the World, and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism from criticizing Bush’s plan.
   
     “The president's budget misses the mark on reducing poverty in America,” said the Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA. “In fact, with cuts to key programs such as Medicaid and Medicare, the president’s budget will only serve to exacerbate problems facing millions of our nation’s poor families.”
   
     Over the next five years, Bush’s budget would reduce funding for Medicaid and Medicare — health care programs for the poor and elderly — by more $100 billion.
   
     While the food stamp changes may help new households, it may also hurt those already part of the program, according to the anti-hunger group Bread for the World.
   
     “The president’s budget proposal offers little new for those low-income families needing help from our federal nutrition programs and reveals little for struggling rural communities and small farmers,” said the Rev. David Beckmann, Bread for the World’s president.
    
     President Bush’s budget also proposes drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, a plan that has been debated and defeated several times in Congress.
   
     The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism said Congress must again squelch the plan.