The PC(USA)’s advocacy director warns ‘the failure to utilize our resources on behalf of the poor is a sin against God’
The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins speaks at D.C. sit-in to oppose controversial budget proposal
LOUISVILLE — Presbyterians were among a crowd that gathered on the steps of the U.S Capital Sunday to express grave concern about proposed budget cuts that could hurt families and individuals who count on federal dollars for essentials such as health care and food.
The peaceful sit-in — conducted more like a conversation among allies than a protest or press conference — was led by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who are opposed to a Republican-led budget plan that they fear will be devastating for vulnerable populations.
“This bill, we believe, presents one of the greatest moral threats to our country that we've seen in terms of what it will do to providing food for the hungry, care for the elderly, services for the disabled, health care for the sick and more,” Booker said. “And Martin Luther King said budgets are moral documents, and that's the spirit we come here this morning in, hoping to have a larger conversation with all who will watch.”
The gathering took place at what Booker called a “moment of moral urgency” as Congress prepared to return from its spring recess with backers of the bill eager to get it to President Trump’s desk.
Hawkins, advocacy director of the Interim Unified Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), cautioned “the wealthiest nation in the history of the world,” noting that “the failure to utilize our resources on behalf of the poor is a sin against God.”
“As a minister of the gospel of Christ Jesus, I am called to be compassionate, caring, generous and responsible, a steward of all that I own,” he said. “We're called to be responsible stewards of all that we own, recognizing that everything that we have comes from a generous God, and we are to be cheerful givers to those who are without.”
Jeffries said the “cruel budget” would effectively take away health care for potentially tens of millions of Americans and have other negative consequences.
The budget would “end Medicaid as we know it and rip food from the mouths of children, seniors and veterans,” Jeffries similarly noted in a news release. “We will continue to show up, speak up and stand up until we end this national nightmare.”
Others at the gathering included Democratic lawmakers, such as Sens. Chris Coons (a Presbyterian), Raphael Warnock and Angela Alsobrooks, and Reps. Gil Cisneros, Sarah McBride and Gabe Amo. Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, and the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, president of Repairers of the Breach and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, also participated.
Barber said lives are at risk, noting that policy doesn’t kill people quickly but rather over time. He noted that 36 million Americans could lose Medicaid, and 15 million people could go hungry if the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) takes a big hit.
“What we have to say in this moment … (is) take your hands off our Medicaid,” Barber said, urging people of various races, backgrounds and faiths to voice their opposition. “Take your hands off our Medicare. Take your hands off our voting rights. Take your hands off our living wages. Take your hands off our public education and take your hands off of our lives and let us live because in this country life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is supposed to be what not only is thought about but policies allow it to actually happen.”
Hawkins referred to the opposition as a spiritual movement, noting, “any budget that hurts people is against who we are as people of faith.” That includes any budget that cuts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, health care, or “takes away from the neediest in society.”
He also pointed out the irony that some people who support the cuts will invoke religion, saying things like, “‘Well, I’m going to pray for you. You’re in my thoughts and prayers,’ and yet will vote for budgets that will injure those who need help the most.”
He also bemoaned that resources would be negatively affected as food pantries try to continue their work of serving the hungry.
“This budget does not reflect the needs of the nation,” Hawkins said. “Currently there are millions of people living in poverty in this nation. The federal poverty level for a family of four is only (about) $32,000. In what city can a family of four live (for) under $32,000? And for a single individual (about) $15,000.”
Plus, people who receive benefits are already “struggling to meet the needs of their families,” he said, often without reliable transportation or childcare.
The conversation was livestreamed and can be viewed here and elsewhere on YouTube.
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