ELCA Action Alert: CALL IN! to oppose cuts to social programs, funding for deportations
Senate leadership aims to schedule a rushed vote on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as soon as this week, undermining access to core programs in our communities.
Act now! “Vote-arama” could begin as early as Thursday this week!
After passing the House of Representatives, the Senate is advancing budget cuts with new amendments in One Big Beautiful Bill, aiming to pass it on the Senate floor next week ahead of July 4th recess. Ecumenical and religious partners are urging action and calls to Senate offices ASAP, citing alarm and concerns over provisions that would be destabilizing for millions across the U.S. in the greatest need.
Though the Senate bill encompasses many elements, some top concerns include:
Hunger and Healthcare: The amended Senate version would result in nearly 16 million low-income people removed from healthcare assistance, 3.2 million fewer people receiving SNAP benefits in an average month, and cripple state budgets with cascading effects on essential local programs. Church food pantries, health ministries, faith-based hospitals, disability ministries and more have shared concern about what impacts this will have on the people they serve.
Creation Care: This bill will halt progress toward a clean energy transition, roll back clean air standards, and end popular programs to address climate change in vulnerable communities. Churches who take part in these programs, like the clean energy tax credits, may lose their ability due to qualification requirements in this bill.
Migration: The Senate bill would add nearly $120 billion for border security and immigrant detentions and deportations. Increasingly aggressive immigration enforcement is already separating families, causing fear and uncertainty in communities, and interrupting the work of ELCA sanctuary and welcoming congregations and their partners. The dramatic increase in resources for immigration enforcement would negatively impact even more people and communities.
Lawmakers in the Senate need to hear from faith leaders and the religious community that the measures taken in this bill are crippling, morally alarming, and disproportionately placed on the back on the poor. For the most compelling calls, use ONE of the sample issues listed on the phone script in the next page and share a personal story about how this impacts your community or moral priorities.
Scripture teaches us to “Do right, seek justice, defend the oppressed" (Isaiah 1:17). Call your lawmakers today to share what matters to you most and urge them to vote NO on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
How Click to Call Works
Use the form provided to input your address and phone number.
IMPORTANT: the webform requires that your phone number be entered with +1 and NO DASHES. For example: the phone number (123) 456-7890 would be entered as +11234567890.
After you submit the form, the ELCA Advocacy system will identify your representative on the next screen.
You will receive a call from 855-754-0208 connecting you with that office within a few minutes, typically 1-3. Depending on the office, you may be sent to an automated menu or voicemail box - if you do, feel free to adapt the script to leave your message. (Repeat the process to connect with another office.)
When you use this alert, the ELCA Advocacy system will also display a script you can use with some recommended talking points.
Fill out the form to get started and share what you care about most!