Call today! Ensure anti-poverty programs remain in the debt ceiling deal

Lawmakers are in tense negotiations about the U.S. debt ceiling. Call Congress today to ensure antipoverty programs are protected in any final deal.

Congressional leaders are meeting with the White House to negotiate terms of raising the U.S. debt ceiling. This comes as the U.S. Treasury has indicated that the government will default on its debt if no action is taken by June 1.

ELCA Advocacy issued an Action Alert to call in to the Capitol Switchboard on the debt ceiling.

Lawmakers are in tense negotiations about the U.S. debt ceiling.

"We should assess economic activities in terms of how they affect 'all,' especially people living in poverty.” —ELCA social statement Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All (p. 4)

Though we encourage lawmakers to spend within our means, decisions should not fall hardest on those of us who rely on public programs for daily subsistence. Call your lawmaker today.

A default on the U.S. debt or a harmful debt ceiling deal that falls hardest on low-income Americans is not an option. CALL your members of Congress today through the Capitol Switchboard (202-224-3121) to ensure anti-poverty programs are maintained in any final debt ceiling deal.

Earlier this month, in a wider proposal to raise the debt ceiling, the House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill (217 – 215) that would place serious cuts on critical “non-defense discretionary programs”(NDD). Existing commitments among NDD programs fund critical hunger and nutrition programs, homeless and housing grants, support for schools and education, and other critical investments that accompany our ministries which face unmet needs among God’s children.