Letter
Bishops' Budget Debate Letter to U.S. House (2011)
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives from the Most Reverend Stephen E. Blaire, Bishop of Stockton, Chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development and the Most Reverend Howard J. Hubbard, Bishop of Albany, Chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace, July 26, 2011
"On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, we write to address the moral and human dimensions of the ongoing budget debate and, in particular, the debt ceiling measure now before the Congress. In light of growing deficits, Congress faces difficult choices about how to balance needs and resources and allocate burdens and sacrifices. We welcome the efforts of those who have offered serious plans and encourage other leaders to do the same. These choices are economic, political, and moral. This important national discussion requires wise bipartisan leadership, clear priorities, and moral clarity.
We fear the human and social costs of substantial cuts to programs that serve families working to escape poverty, especially food and nutrition, child development and education, and affordable housing. We also fear the costs of undermining international assistance which is an essential tool to promote human life and dignity, advance solidarity with poorer nations, and enhance global security."