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Budget Threatens Nutrition and Other Programs for Vulnerable People

House and Senate floor votes on the FY 2006 Budget Resolution are expected during the week of March 14th. Both versions, passed by the House and Senate Budget Committees on March 9th and 10th, respectively, propose deep cuts in domestic program spending and would require “authorizing” committees like the Agriculture Committees to make reductions in spending for programs under their jurisdiction. Nutrition programs are among those that would bear a portion of the cuts.

Actions Urgently Needed

Contacting lawmakers and the press in the next few days will be critical to protecting programs during floor debate and votes. We urge you to do as much as you can!

* Join March 15th and 16th National Call-In Days on the Budget

Call Senate and House Members during the Tuesday, March 15th, and Wednesday, March 16th Opportunity for All Campaign National Budget Call-In Days. Use the toll-free number for the day provided courtesy of the American Friends Service Committee (1-800-247-2971) or call the Capitol via 202-224-3121.

Urge lawmakers to oppose any cuts or weakening structural changes to human needs programs that serve families, children and the elderly, especially the Food Stamp, Child Nutrition or other federal nutrition programs.

Tell Senators: Please support the Smith-Bingaman amendment to strike cuts to Medicaid and the Feingold-Chafee "pay-as-you-go" amendment to hold new tax cuts to the same procedural limits now applied to new spending, in order to prevent unaffordable tax cuts from deepening the deficit and forcing cuts in vital programs.

Talking Points

Download the flyer to get the word out about the Call-In Days.

* Get State Leaders to Speak Out

Ask leaders of state groups and state and local officials to let Members of Congress and the press know that the budget would hurt people in their communities and would shift costs to states and localities that they cannot handle.

* Contact Media

Ask your local press to focus on how the budget resolution will harm vulnerable people in your state, especially children, elderly and disabled people. [link to sample from coalition if available]

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