The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) is deeply disappointed by Congress’ failure to avert a government shutdown and pass spending legislation to fund essential programs and services.
“The people’s priorities are clear: healthcare access for 22 million at risk Americans, affordable food on the table, essential services, and democracy.”
We call on all congressional leaders to swiftly negotiate a bipartisan deal to re-open the government and fund critical programs that serve the most vulnerable both here at home and abroad. A lingering shutdown will harm millions of people, enable the Trump administration to abuse power as reports circulate that the President plans to leverage a shutdown to further dismantle agencies and arbitrarily fire necessary federal workers, and further undermine public confidence in our institutions at a moment when our democracy is under grave threat.
“This is a moment of moral reckoning.” FCNL General Secretary Bridget Moix said. “We are called to sound the alarm over the threats that this shutdown poses both to human dignity and our democratic system. Our faith calls us to love our neighbors without exception, which means a budget which cares for them. Congress can and must re-open the government, push back against President Trump’s authoritarian overreach on congressionally appropriated funds, and pass a moral budget that puts the urgent needs of our communities above the interests of billionaires, war, and mass deportation.”
“The federal government’s priorities are misguided. But the people’s priorities are clear: healthcare access for 22 million at risk Americans, affordable food on the table, essential services, and democracy.”
At this critical inflection point for our country, Congress must exercise its constitutional authority over the power of the purse and its responsibility to serve the needs of the people by passing legislation that:
- Swiftly re-opens the government. Government shutdowns halt vital programs and services and harm workers, families, and communities across the country. We are alarmed by reporting that the Trump administration plans to exploit a shutdown to further dismantle government agencies and fire more public servants.
Prioritizes the needs of working families and protects the most vulnerable. The U.S. government should make funding decisions that put people first. Important tax credits will expire very soon without congressional action. Millions of Americans could face unaffordable health insurance premiums. This spike in the cost of healthcare will impact at least 24 million Americans, and could undo major progress toward more affordable healthcare.
Congress must also protect funding for other critical human needs programs, including affordable healthcare, food assistance, community violence intervention programs, legally mandated funding for tribal communities, lifesaving foreign assistance, and resources to respond to environmental disasters.
- Protects funding from Trump’s authoritarian efforts to override Congress. Over the past fiscal year, the Trump administration has repeatedly undermined Congress’ constitutional power of the purse, rescinding and illegally withholding funds for a wide range of programs. Congress must ensure this authoritarian playbook is not repeated – to protect critical programs, and to protect the vital checks and balances that our democratic system relies on.
As people of faith, we are called to advocate for a society with equity and justice for all where every person’s potential may be fulfilled.
FCNL stands ready to work with all congressional leaders to ensure a bipartisan resolution to this impasse that protects the dignity and needs of all of God’s children and upholds our democracy.