leaders and the Bush administration, the U.S. bishops' conference urged the treasury secretary to protect the poorest families from financial hardship.
House leaders and President George W. Bush Jan. 24 announced a $150 billion package of cash payments to poor and middle-class workers and easier tax write-offs for some businesses. The proposals are intended to stimulate the economy, which financial analysts, including the chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank, have warned is heading toward recession.
"While their voices are not always heard, poor people have compelling needs that should have a priority claim on our consciences and on the choices and investments which you will make," wrote Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., in a Jan. 23 letter to Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr.
The bishop said such an approach makes practical sense, because the poorest segment of the population "will most likely use this money short-term within the economy."
Bishop Murphy heads the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
He quoted the testimony of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to the House Budget Committee, saying "there is good evidence that cash that goes to low- and moderate-income people is more likely to be spent in the near term."
The bishop noted that other analysts and economists also have said strengthening unemployment insurance, food stamps and a home energy assistance program can help stimulate the economy quickly and efficiently.
"More importantly, there is a moral argument that none of us can escape," Bishop Murphy said. "A good society is measured by the extent to which those with responsibility attend to the needs of the weaker members, especially those most in need."
In a Jan. 24 teleconference, evangelical and Catholic leaders talked about issues they wanted to see addressed in the State of the Union address Jan. 28.
Father Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, said the number of people receiving assistance through Catholic Charities agencies has increased by hundreds of thousands, reaching nearly 8 million in 2006. More than half of those people were living below the poverty level, he said.
"More alarming is the number of people who are accessing our agencies for basic needs of shelter, food and health care who are working and just simply cannot make it," Father Snyder added.
"If we are going to truly work to reduce the number of people in poverty, the federal government must do its part," he said. "Organizations like Catholic Charities simply cannot continue to handle the increasing demands in our communities."
Father Snyder called it a moral and social crisis that more than 36 million people live in poverty in the United States.
"While it's true that certain choices and behaviors can lead individuals into poverty, the fact is that far more often the greater fault lies with the social and economic structures that shape the opportunities for the poor," he said.
Father Snyder said Catholic Charities USA supports President Bush's call for a stimulus package to help those who are now facing economic uncertainty as a result of high gasoline prices and a declining housing market.
"We agree with Congress and the Administration that a stimulus package must be timely, temporary, and targeted. However, the plan does not go far enough to address the urgent needs of the poorest Americans."
Catholic Charities USA and its member agencies, he said, urge Congress to improve the package to help the nation's most vulnerable by temporarily increasing food stamp benefit; extending unemployment insurance benefits; providing fiscal relief to states to strengthen their health care programs; and providing a tax rebate to certain middle- and low-income families.
"These practical changes can provide immediate relief to our nation's poorest families," said Father Snyder. "Beyond the economic stimulus package, there must be a national commitment to not only help those impacted by this recent economic situation, but also to provide long-term solutions for people who have been living in poverty."
He said Catholic Charities has launched a Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America with the goal of cutting the poverty rate in half by 2020.
"This Administration and this Congress can --- and must --- take steps to help those living in poverty before this session of Congress and the President's term end," he asserted. "Important food stamp, housing, and health coverage bills are awaiting action, and it's time that the needs of the poor are given a higher priority by our leaders in Washington."
The stimulus package worked out by the administration and House leaders was to go to the House floor the last week of January.
Some Senate Democratic leaders have said when the bill reached them, they would try to add components such as an extension of unemployment benefits for those beyond the time limits, and increases to home heating subsidies and food stamp benefits. ---CNS |