“Do not rob the poor because they are poor or crush the afflicted at the gate, for the Lord pleads their cause and despoils of life those who despoil them.” Proverbs 22:22-23 (NRSVUE)
Proverbs 22:22-23 (NRSVUE)
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC), representing millions of faithful Christians across the United States, strongly opposes any potential spending cuts to safety net and essential support programs under consideration by Congress. These cuts, which aim to reduce funding for federal programs over the next decade, disproportionately target initiatives that support the most vulnerable members of our society—programs that serve not just as safety nets but also as lifelines for countless families.
The National Council of Churches is an ecumenical partner supported by the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund apportionment, which enables United Methodists to share a presence and a voice in the activities of several national and worldwide ecumenical organizations.
As people of faith, we are called to care for the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40), ensuring that every individual has access to basic human needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare. Any cuts to these programs—focused heavily on Medicaid, food assistance, housing support, and programs aimed at combating poverty—are a direct affront to these values.
Reducing Medicaid funding through caps and work requirements would restrict access to essential healthcare, while cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Social Services Block Grants would further exacerbate poverty and hunger. Weakening Affordable Care Act subsidies and public health investments would leave millions without adequate coverage, and eliminating climate-focused tax credits ignores the urgent need for environmental stewardship. Additionally, scaling back student debt relief, education, and infrastructure investments prioritizes austerity over equity, growth, and dignity, disproportionately affecting low-income households, children, young adults, veterans, and seniors.
The NCC urges Congress to reject any proposals for spending cuts that harm vulnerable populations. Balancing the federal budget must not come at the expense of programs that provide dignity and opportunity to the most marginalized among us. Policymakers must recognize that the government’s role is to promote the common good, not to exacerbate inequality.
We call on members of Congress to stand firm against these cuts and to advocate for policies that uplift rather than undermine our shared humanity. Together, we can build a nation where justice and compassion prevail, where every child is fed, every family has a home, and every person has access to healthcare.
The NCC remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for policies that reflect the love, justice, and mercy of God, especially toward “the least of these.”
National Council of Churches website
One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund enables United Methodists to share a presence and a voice in the activities of several national and worldwide ecumenical organizations. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund apportionment at 100 percent.
