This week, both chambers of Congress passed a budget framework that threatens to strip health care and food assistance from millions of people.
“As people of faith, we are called to love our neighbors and help those in need. But this budget resolution takes from the poor to fund tax cuts for the rich, mass deportation, and the continued militarization of our world,” FCNL’s Bridget Moix said following the Senate’s passage of the bill last weekend.
These sweeping cuts to SNAP and Medicaid are particularly immoral as working families bear the brunt of the economic turmoil unleashed by the Trump administration’s reckless tariff policies.
While we are deeply disappointed by these votes, we are not deterred. Our work doesn’t end here.
Despite major political challenges, hundreds of advocates across our network held over 100 lobby meetings during Spring Lobby Weekend and sent thousands of letters to members of Congress.
Despite the outcome, it’s clear your advocacy is working!
Your voices helped to generate major pressure, creating strong bipartisan opposition to cuts to SNAP and Medicaid and preventing more severe cuts proposed by some conservative lawmakers.
This budget resolution is just one step in an ongoing process. Working from the framework passed this week, committees will begin drafting legislation to determine specific funding levels for programs across the government.
Our voices will be needed in the coming weeks to build on this momentum. We need to protect vital programs like SNAP and Medicaid. We need to stand up against the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda and its proposed $1 trillion budget for weapons and war.
As we have long said, budgets are moral documents that reflect our priorities. Despite the challenges ahead, we remain committed to persistent advocacy to align these priorities with the World We Seek. We should not spend our resources on greed and war, but on programs that honor the dignity of all and ensure every person’s potential may be fulfilled.
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If you missed it, check out our network call from Thursday evening to learn more about how we are continuing to work for peace, justice, and an earth restored amid the chaos of the Trump administration – and how you can help!
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Elsewhere
Courts Push Back Against Trump Administration Immigration Injustice
Two encouraging court rulings this week pushed back against the Trump administration’s unjust detention and deportations.
First, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld an order instructing the administration to take steps to return an asylum seeker from El Salvador wrongly deported to a dangerous prison there.
Second, a judge gave the Trump administration a strict deadline to demonstrate why Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia student detained for pro-Palestine advocacy, should be detained and deported. If it cannot, the judge will throw out the case and order Khalil’s release.
These complex cases are far from over. Still, our courts are taking steps to uphold fundamental rights in the face of the Trump administration’s lawless and immoral actions.
Airstrikes in Yemen Continue as US-Iran Nuclear Talks Begin
The United States continued air strikes in Yemen on the Iran-backed Houthis, killing dozens of people. We know that air strikes are not the answer, only diplomacy and permanent peace in Gaza will resolve this conflict.
Direct talks between the United States and Iran on Iran’s nuclear program will begin tomorrow. As FCNL’s Odeliya Mater explained earlier this month, we have a crucial window of opportunity for negotiations with Iran that the U.S. must seize.
Clean Energy Under Threat
Clean energy tax credits are under threat in the upcoming budget reconciliation. This week, FCNL’s Anna Aguto spoke with Quaker meetings about how they are using these credits to better serve their communities and live out their values.
Join us next Wednesday, April 16, at 6:30 p.m. ET for an Earth Day Call to Action, where we will hear stories from f/Friends engaged in climate action and take action together for these vital resources.
Voting Restrictions Pass the House
The House passed legislation on Thursday which would make it harder for tens of millions of people to vote. This was to address President Trump’s lies about voter fraud. Our country should make it easier, not harder, to vote.
The Senate must reject this major attack on voting rights.
