14 Faith Groups Oppose Delay of Defense Sequester

Click here to read the letter to senators in pdf form.

14 Faith Groups Oppose Delay of Defense Sequester

September 19, 2012

Dear Senator:

We are very concerned about reports in the press that Senator McCain or other leading senators may propose delaying the sequester as it affects Pentagon programs, and shifting an additional burden of spending cuts to domestic programs.

We urge you to reject any alternatives to the sequester that cut even more deeply into government assistance for the poor and vulnerable.

Distinguished military leaders and national security experts, along with a majority of the American public, understand and accept that the Pentagon budget, which has increased phenomenally since 2001, can be decreased significantly as our nation ends its involvement in two expensive wars, and retires some obsolete weapons systems and outdated approaches to global security.

At the same time, people in our congregations across the country are deeply concerned about unemployment and underemployment, their ability to pay for needed health care, access to education and job training, and care for their children and elders. Government assistance with these critical needs has already been cut deeply, and will face even deeper cuts – along with Pentagon spending – if a sequester comes into effect.

We agree that the sequester is not an appropriate way for Congress to carry out its responsibility to allocate spending and revenues, and to manage the nation’s finances. We call your attention to our recommendation, the Faithful Alternative to the Sequester, which urges a balanced approach to deficit and debt reduction, including new revenues, judicious spending cuts according to the nation’s actual needs, reducing wasteful Pentagon spending, and protecting programs and benefits for low income and vulnerable people.

American Friends Service Committee
Church World Service
Conference of Major Superiors of Men
Disciples Justice Action Network
The Faithful Budget Campaign
Franciscan Action Network
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington Office
National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
Pax Christi U.S.A. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas - Institute Justice Team
The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries

Click here to see the full "Faithful Alternatives to the Sequestration" document and here to see the "Priorities for a Faithful Budget" document that are currently being used in lobby visits.

For more information on related topics, look for fact sheets here.