Circle of Protection Statement

Circle of Protection Leave-Behind, a statement on why we need to protect programs for the poor

Christians view budget decisions as moral choices measured by their impact on “the least of these.” In response to mounting deficits, leaders call for a “Circle of Protection” around programs that serve the poorest and most vulnerable at home and abroad. By forming a unified “Circle of Protection,” Christians urge Congress and the administration to give moral priority to programs that uphold the life and dignity of the poor and vulnerable in challenging economic times.

• Advocate evaluating every budget proposal “from the bottom up,” focusing on people living in poverty
• Affirm the obligation to pray, fast, give alms, and speak out for justice
• Commit to fiscal responsibility and shared sacrifice without undermining vital anti-poverty programs
• Insist that budgets are moral documents, defining how society cares for human dignity

Key Recommendations 

1. Reduce future deficits without cutting programs for hungry and poor people.
2. Protect and enhance poverty-focused funding rather than trim it.
3. Safeguard and improve development and humanitarian assistance to build a safer, more just world.
4. Explore revenue increases, military spending reviews, and entitlement reforms to share sacrifices fairly.
5. Promote job creation and economic growth, recognizing decent work as the best route out of poverty and a driver of deficit reduction.
6. Center the budget debate on moral questions: “What would Jesus cut?” and “How do we share sacrifice?”
7. Seek God’s guidance through prayer and fasting as national priorities are set.
8. Commit to sharing God’s blessings with love and justice, prioritizing those most in need.

Programs Focused on Assisting the Poor:

Domestic Assistance

• Food Assistance: SNAP; free and reduced-price school meals
• Child Care & Early Education: Head Start
• Health Care: Medicaid; Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Tax Credits & Income Support: Earned Income Tax Credit; refundable Child Tax Credit
• Education & Training: low-income adult education programs
• Shelter & Homelessness: emergency shelters; transitional housing
• Child Protection: programs to prevent maltreatment
• Refugee Assistance: support for resettlement and integration

International Assistance

• Food Aid & Emergency Response: P.L. 480 Title II Food for Peace; McGovern-Dole Food for Education
• Global Health: State Department’s Global Health and Child Survival (including PEPFAR); maternal and child health initiatives
• Sustainable Development: bilateral Development Assistance; poverty-focused financial services
• Refugee & Post-Conflict Support: resettlement, peacekeeping, and reconstruction programs

Circle-of-Protection-leave-behind.pdf