The White House and congressional leaders are in final negotiations to raise the debt ceiling. Congress must raise the debt ceiling so the U.S. government can pay its current obligations. Yet in order to secure enough votes to raise the debt ceiling, some members of Congress are withholding their vote unless dramatic cuts are made to federal spending–including devastating and long-term cuts to programs for hungry and poor people.
Every deficit-reduction package of the last 30 years–under Republican and Democratic leaders–has exempted key programs for hungry and poor people from cuts. We must protect these programs now.
Final negotiations between President Obama and leaders in Congress are happening now. Call your senators through our special toll-free number (1-800-826-3688) and ask them to urge Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to create a circle of protection around funding for programs for hungry and poor people in the United States and abroad in the bill to raise the debt ceiling.
You can explain your message by adding any or all of these points:
- Exempt programs for hungry and poor people from cuts. All major deficit-reduction packages in the past 30 years under Republican and Democratic leaders have exempted key domestic programs that affect hungry and poor people. Congress must continue this precedent by protecting low-income programs here in the United States and abroad.
- Revenues and spending cuts must be on the table to achieve deficit reduction so we can continue our commitment to ending hunger and poverty at home and abroad.
- Funding these programs is good for the economy. Low-income families spend their benefits immediately and in their local communities. Every additional dollar of SNAP benefits leads to $1.73 in economic growth, and every additional dollar in refundable tax credits – such as the Earned Income Tax Credit – leads to $1.26 in economic growth.
Congress needs to hear from you today! This week is critical as congressional leaders work on the debt ceiling proposal. Call your U.S. Senators at 1-800-826-3688 by Friday, July 1, and tell them to ask Sens. Reid and McConnell to protect hungry and poor people in the debt ceiling negotiations.