I hope our legislators will replace sequestration with a balanced plan. Sequestration jeopardizes programs that help hungry and poor people lift themselves out of poverty, both at home and abroad.
In 2013 alone, sequestration will mean 4 million fewer meals served to poor seniors through programs like Meals on Wheels. It will push 70,000 children out of Head Start. And 2 million people around the world will lose some or all access to lifesaving food aid. These numbers are just for this year. Sequestration’s harmful effects will continue to grow in the coming years unless Congress acts.
The federal budget is a moral document and must not hurt those whom Jesus called “the least of these.” I pray we will protect funding for programs that address the root causes of global poverty and that help meet families’ nutritional needs here at home.
