Civil Rights Groups Oppose Deep Cuts to Vital Federal Programs
Civil rights groups and anti-poverty advocates are calling on the House of Representatives to reject legislation that would make massive cuts in essential federal programs through the remainder of fiscal 2011, which ends September 30. The House is expected to vote today on the proposal, which would slash funding for education, health care, affordable housing, energy assistance and other vital domestic programs and could damage our still-fragile economic recovery.
Half in Ten, a campaign seeking to cut poverty in half over the next ten years, said that the proposal will “reduce the deficit on the backs of vulnerable Americans who suffered the most in the Great Recession.”
To underscore this point, Half in Ten noted that gutting programs providing basic supports to low- and moderate-income families would save about $15 billion, as compared to the $23 billion that December’s estate tax deal for the super-wealthy cost.
“The proposed cuts include many programs that strengthen economic security for low-income families and provide them access to opportunities that are essential to achieving the American Dream. Instead of rebuilding our middle class, these cuts to job training, community health centers, affordable housing, and home energy assistance will only impede our economic recovery,” said Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a Half in Ten partner
SAVE for All, a new coalition of national and local advocacy groups, service providers, faithâbased organizations, labor, civil rights groups, and policy experts formed to preserve and strengthen the federal government’s “capacity to expand opportunity and enable all Americans to obtain economic security,” is also urging the House to reject the proposal and work together to create jobs.
“The best way to reduce the long-term federal deficit is to put Americans back to work now by investing in and strengthening programs that create jobs and provide greater economic security for struggling families,” said Deborah Weinstein, executive director of the Coalition on Human Needs, a member of SAVE for All. “Instead of slashing vital programs, Congress and the Obama Administration should make thoughtful cuts and wise investments that will pay long-term dividends, such as Pell Grants that help young people attend college; community health centers that provide access to health care for millions; and Head Start, which provides early childhood education and other services that enable children to learn better.”
Congress must pass a bill to fund the remainder of fiscal year 2011 by March 4 or risk a government shutdown.