FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 15, 2007

CONTACT: STEPHANIE NIEDRINGHAUS, 202-347-9797 x224, sniedringhaus@networklobby.org

MORE THAN 90 CATHOLIC ORGANIZATIONS JOIN OTHERS IN CALLING FOR INCREASED FUNDING FOR HUMAN NEEDS

Washington , DC : NETWORK, a national Catholic social justice lobby, gathered support from more than 90 Catholic organizations* as they joined other groups in calling on Congress to resist cuts in domestic discretionary spending. NETWORK worked with WAND (Women’s Action for New Director) to gather signatures for a letter that strongly urged Congress to support federal budget priorities that protect and support families and communities.

According to their letter to Congress,

The increasing funding of the military, both the Pentagon’s regular budget and the supplemental appropriations for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, directly affect the ability of families to meet their day-to-day needs. The President’s budget request shows an increase of 2.9% in discretionary spending. Within that, however, defense and international affairs increased 7.8% and 8.5% respectively. Domestic discretionary spending is 3.2% below the FY07 Continuing Resolution level (adjusted for inflation). This means that struggling families will fall even further behind in meeting their needs.

The President’s domestic discretionary spending request, again, has the greatest impact on children and those elderly with the least economic power. A sampling of programs which need to be increased, rather than frozen or cut includes:

• Commodity Supplemental Food Program (cut to zero, denying this support to the 440,000 low-income seniors who currently receive it)
• Child care assistance ($39 million below the 2007 level--the sixth consecutive year of frozen or cut funds)
• Heating assistance (19% below the frozen 2007 level)
• Drinking water safety (20% below the already frozen 2007 level)
• Vocational and adult education (41% below the 2007 funding level)
• Head Start (loss of $232 million, in its sixth year of cuts)

NETWORK and its justice partners will continue to work for a fair and moral federal budget that truly serves the common good.

*Catholic organizations that signed the letter to Congress included: Leadership Conference of Women Religious; Conference of Major Superiors of Men; Daughters of Wisdom Leadership Team; Dominican Sisters of the Roman Congregation, USA Province ; Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters; Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament Social Justice Office; Sisters of Charity, Blessed Virgin Mary; Sisters of the Divine Savior Justice and Peace Coordinator; Sisters of the Holy Cross - Congregation Justice Office; Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet; Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Congregation.

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NETWORK—a Catholic leader in the global movement for justice and peace—educates, organizes and lobbies for economic and social transformation. Founded in 1971 by 47 Catholic sisters, NETWORK is supported by thousands of groups and individuals committed to working for social and economic justice. For more information, see www.networklobby.org.