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Washington, D.C. – Nearly 500 Bread for the World members and activists will visit Capitol Hill today to personally ask their members of Congress to oppose any budget cuts or structural changes that would increase hunger and poverty in the U.S. and around the world.

“The budget cuts proposed by President Trump would be absolutely devastating to struggling families both in the U.S. and around the world,” said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. “Our members are here to voice their opposition to these cuts and urge their members of Congress to fully fund programs that help people living in hunger and poverty.” 

Widespread opposition to these budget cuts resulted in one of Bread's largest Lobby Day turnouts in years. The activists' visits are supported by hundreds of Bread members personally calling their members of Congress.

President Trump’s budget proposes drastic cuts to programs critical to helping people living in hunger and poverty in the U.S. It cuts billions from SNAP (formerly known as food stamps), refundable tax credits for low-income working families, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Medicaid would face hundreds of billions in additional cuts above the $834 billion that would already be taken from the program by the American Health Care Act.

The budget also makes severe cuts to international programs during a time of unprecedented need, when more than 20 million people are at risk of starvation in famine or near-famine conditions in South Sudan, Nigeria, Somalia, and Yemen.

The House of Representatives is expected to introduce a budget resolution that also includes significant cuts to domestic safety-net and international development programs.

“We believe the overwhelming turnout for today’s Lobby Day proves that the American people oppose these kind of shameful, short-sighted cuts,” Beckmann said. “Bread for the World members will work tirelessly to ensure Congress passes a responsible budget that adheres to the values of our Christian faith.”  

Later today, Bread for the World will honor Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.), and Reps. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) and Chris Smith (R-N.J.) for their outstanding leadership toward ending hunger and poverty in the U.S. and around the world.