Episcopal News Service: Mainline Churches Urge Congress on poverty issues

[Episcopal News Service] Leaders of five mainline denominations have joined in a renewed call on Congress to oppose cuts to programs serving the poor in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Congress this week postponed consideration of the FY '06 federal budget reconciliation process, which would make deep cuts in programs that serve the working poor, children and seniors.
'In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, it is clear that greater burdens on these programs such as Medicaid and the Food Stamp Program will occur,' said John Johnson, domestic policy analyst in the Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations. 'The leaders of the Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church, USA, United Methodist Church and United Church of Christ have consistently opposed cuts to vital programs serving the least among us included in this year's federal budget"