April 28, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC – While media and much of public attention has been focused on the Social Security debate and whether or not Republicans should end the filibuster, the fiscal year 2006 budget, which includes deep cuts in funding for human services, is on the verge of passing virtually unnoticed.

But a group of clergy and others representing the "Let Justice Roll: Faith and Community Voices Against Poverty" coalition went from office to office yesterday praying that Senators would approve a budget that does more to support children, the poor, families, the elderly, veterans and persons with disabilities.

"It appears that this budget will be approved without having generated much attention. However, we thought it important to let Senator Frist and others know that we are praying for them and we hope that this budget will reflect consideration for the poor and those who are most in need in our country," said Rev. Elenora Giddings Ivory, the Director of the Washington Office for the Presbyterian Church (USA).

In what they called "Justice Wednesday" to highlight the definition of "justice" in biblical texts, namely concern for the poor and those most in need; the group offered prayers in the offices of Senators Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), in addition to Senator Bill Frist's (R-Tenn.). They also had a brief conversation in the hallway of the Dirksen building with Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.).

According to one of the prayers written by Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell, the National Council of Churches' Associate General Secretary for Justice & Advocacy, and a participant in today's pilgrimage, "We pray you will not allow hardened hearts or political egos to darken the moral vision of those who have been elected to work for the common good of society. We pray that these budget deliberations will be open and honest-with focused and fervent attention on recognizing and easing the burdens of America's poorest families," said the prayer that was left with Senate staffers following each visit.

This is not the first attempt by the "Let Justice Roll" coalition to urge Congress to pass a federal budget that reflects the moral values of the nation. The group released a "Vision of Hope & Justice for the FY 2006 Budget" in March and sent a letter signed by more than 40 local, state and national organizations to the House and Senate leadership earlier this month expressing its opposition to the budget resolution.

"Most troubling to us is how cuts in services for those in desperate need are being used as a solution to cut the deficit while wealthy populations receive additional tax cuts. This is immoral and reflects a fundamental imbalance in addressing our nation's debt," said the letter. "We call on you to support policies that reflect the moral values of our country more than the economic comfort of the few."

National Council of Churches