Bread for the World Commends Bipartisan Budget Deal
Washington, D.C. – Bread for the World today commended the $1.1 trillion bipartisan budget deal struck by House and Senate negotiators. The bill would fund the government through the end of the 2017 fiscal year. Bread urged the full Congress to pass the bill and for President Donald J. Trump to sign it into law as soon as possible.
The bipartisan budget deal provides more than $1 billion for famine relief in parts of Africa and the Middle East. It also protects domestic and international poverty-focused programs from budget cuts proposed by Trump.
“Bread for the World congratulates budget negotiators for including funding for famine relief in the 2017 appropriations bill,” said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. “In addition to providing lifesaving famine relief, the bill protects programs that help poor and hungry people in the United States and developing countries – a clear victory for those who rely on these programs. We thank the negotiators for their work and urge lawmakers to support this bill.”
In addition to funding famine relief, the bill keeps funding flat for international maternal and child nutrition programs, including the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. The bill also increases funding for global health programs and development assistance.
On the domestic side, the bill funds WIC and summer meals for children at the same levels as last year. It increases funding for Head Start, the Child Care and Development Block Grant, and nutrition programs for senior citizens.
“The Trump administration is also proposing steep cuts to foreign aid and domestic hunger and poverty programs in the fiscal year 2018 budget. We hope that lawmakers do the right thing and reject the proposed cuts and fully fund these vital programs,” Beckmann added.
Tools
from our Resource Library
For Education
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Fact Sheet: Fortified for Life. How the U.S. Government Supports Global Nutrition.
Good nutrition is a critical part of ensuring that all human beings can use their bodies and minds to live an active life and reach their full potential.
Fact sheet: Why are families leaving Central America?
People who make the decision to leave home and come to the United States generally have few other options. Factors beyond their control have made their circumstances too hungry and violent for them to remain.
For Faith
Unity Declaration on Racism and Poverty
A diverse body of Christian leaders calls on the churches and Congress to focus on the integral connection.
Dear Members of Congress,
As the president and Congress are preparing their plans for this year, almost 100 church leaders—from all the families of U.S. Christianity—are...
In Times Like These … A Pan-African Christian Devotional for Public Policy Engagement
This devotional guide invites deepened relationship with and among Pan-African people and elected leaders in the mission to end hunger and poverty.
Sermon by David Beckmann at Duke University Chapel
Remarks delivered October 1, 2017 at Duke University Chapel in Chapel Hill in North Carolina.
Thank you for inviting me to preach here at Duke University Chapel. And I especially want to thank the Bread for the World members who have come this morning.
Bruce Puckett urged...
For Advocacy
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Fact Sheet: Hunger by the Numbers
In 2017, 11.8 percent of households in the U.S.—40 million people—were food-insecure, meaning that they were unsure at some point during the year about how they would provide for their next meal.
Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2017
Unnecessarily long prison sentences, combined with the lack of rehabilitative programs for people in prison, exacerbate hunger, poverty, and existing inequalities.
Overly harsh mandatory minimum prison sentences have contributed to the rapid increase of our country’s prison population. The...