“Those services which society offers to its citizens are not a type of alms, but rather a genuine ‘social debt’ with respect to the institution of the family, which is foundational and which contributes to the common good.” – Pope Francis 

Congress is working on a budget deal called a reconciliation package. The package will include tax policies and other economic policies that affect everyone, including families. Deep cuts are being proposed to Medicaid and other important social safety net programs as Members of Congress debate how to pay for the package.   

Please urge your Representative to keep in mind how budget and tax decisions will impact families, especially the most vulnerable families, and use budget reconciliation to support the needs of children and families experiencing poverty. Essential safety net programs that serve those most in need, including SNAP and Medicaid, must be protected. Changes to these programs that result in the loss of access to life-affirming healthcare and proper nutrition, including for millions of children, are unacceptable. Legislators must avoid creating a situation in which cuts to programs for the poor will be made to seem inevitable and necessary, whether in the short- or longer-term, in order to make tax cuts possible. 

We encourage you to add your own personal story about how families are struggling in your community and why ensuring they have the support they need to thrive is important to you.

You could also share why any the following policies that could be included in a reconciliation package are important to you:  

• Strengthening the Child Tax Credit so its benefits are targeted to the poorest children and continuing to provide the credit to all children with a SSN, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
• Protecting Medicaid and SNAP for families and individuals in need.
• Ensuring taxes raise adequate revenue for programs that meet the needs of the poor. 
• Expanding the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC), Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), and Adoption Tax Credit and ensuring their benefits better serve low-income families and individuals.
• Incentivizing and assisting charitable giving at all income levels through the charitable tax deduction.

You can read the recent USCCB letter advocating to prioritize vulnerable families in the budget reconciliation process here.