Home > Take Action > Action Alert - 1/21/05

With the FY 2006 Budget discussions heating up, it is critical for groups to generate letters, calls and visits to Members of Congress.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and FRAC has sent out a joint memo to anti-hunger groups around the country warning of threats to programs that serve low-income families in this year's budget debates.

"Safeguarding the structure and funding for the Food Stamp, Child Nutrition, and other federal safety net programs will be a challenge in 2005 as the President and/or congressional leaders likely will seek to cut the federal budget deficit. While it is too early to predict the scope or specifics of proposed cuts for the FY 2006 federal budget, proposals could involve deep cuts, basic changes in entitlement programs in a fast track 'reconciliation' bill and/or imposition of 'spending caps' on entitlement programs. Any of these changes would threaten the ability of the programs to serve people in need." >> full text

We ask you and other anti-hunger allies to express your strongest possible opposition to budget proposals that could undermine the safety net for low-income people. In the short term, we need letters and calls generated now.

Message:

We ask that you urge Members of Congress 1) to oppose budget cuts in programs that serve low-income individuals, especially nutrition programs; and 2) to oppose any structural changes to the Food Stamp or Child Nutrition programs that would undermine their ability to expand to meet need when needs increase. Specifically, they should oppose any efforts to subject the nutrition programs to any form of spending cap or block grants.

Cutting, capping or block granting safety net programs, such as food stamps, child nutrition,
Medicaid, or SSI, in the name of deficit reduction is misguided and would have a devastating impact on our joint efforts to address the problem of hunger in the US.

Recommended Actions:

1. We ask anti-hunger groups in each state to send joint (or individual organization) letters at least to each of your state's target Senators and target House Members; letters should urge Members to oppose cuts to and/or spending caps on low-income programs, particularly food stamps and child nutrition. We have created a model letter for you to use and encourage you to tailor it to your circumstances.

2. Personal calls to the Congressional staff people in Washington, D.C. who handle the nutrition programs (or someone more senior) will be important to influencing this matter. We have created model talking points for your reference. We also ask that you call your Senators' and Congressional Members' Washington D.C. offices to discuss your opposition to cuts or structural changes to nutrition programs.

Feel free to contact FRAC for help in coordinating letters and actions in your state, other technical assistance or to make suggestions for the FY 2006 Budget campaign. We would appreciate your feedback, including copies of letters or reports generated. This will help us enormously as we continue to refine our messages and identify key targets.

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