A Moral Crossroads: What’s Really at Stake in the Budget Debate

As they move forward in the debates, policymakers should not forget that the budget is a moral document. Spending caps, proposals to block grant Medicaid and food stamps, and balanced budget amendments would leave vulnerable families and children to fend for themselves.

In Washington these days, political posturing and chatter around budget cuts have reached a deafening roar. As we draw closer to August 2, the day by which the federal government must raise the debt ceiling or face default, policymakers on both sides of the aisle, the Administration, and party leadership will continue to jockey for the measures they’d like included in or excluded from a final deficit reduction package that will likely accompany a vote to raise the debt ceiling. On the chopping block for massive cuts are programs supporting low- to moderate-income families, like early education programs for at-risk children, nutrition assistance for pregnant moms and infants, and job training to name a few.

The above excerpt was originally published in Catholics in Alliance. Click here to view the full article.

The positions of American Progress, and our policy experts, are independent, and the findings and conclusions presented are those of American Progress alone. A full list of supporters is available here. American Progress would like to acknowledge the many generous supporters who make our work possible.