STATEMENT BY SUSAN RAUSCHER  Diocese of Pittsburgh                                                                     HOME

July 1, 2003

Hearing on the Federal Budget for FY 2004

Good morning, I am Susan Rauscher, Secretary for Pastoral and Social Concerns for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Thank you for the opportunity to present some concerns of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.  I would like to begin by thanking you and your fellow representatives for taking on the responsibility of establishing the fairest federal budget possible.  It is in recognition of the many difficult choices that Congress will have to make in constructing the federal budget that I offer this testimony for your consideration.

The Catholic Church has a rich heritage of Catholic Social Teaching focusing always on building a just society where all are respected, protected and cared for.  Our country is a nation of individuals, coming together seeking the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.  Rooted in the teachings of the Gospel, Matthew (25: 31-46) calls us 'to do for the least of our brothers.' This is undeniably a direct call to serve the needs of the vulnerable first.

In many ways the Catholic Church, along with her many ecumenical partners, answer that call directly by providing direct service where and when possible.  However, that outreach must be coupled with a commitment from our government to stand in service as well.  Human dignity must be the fundamental criterion against which public policy is measured.  We urge you and your colleagues to assess the strength of our nation's budget policy by how much it enhances or undermines the lives and dignity of the most vulnerable members of our society.

Many of those who have the greatest of needs also have the weakest of voices.  To quote Bishop Wilton Gregory, "Preserving an adequate safety net for the poor and vulnerable may not command as much attention as homeland security, tax cuts, and military expenditures, but it is a fundamental moral obligation of a responsible society."

Safeguarding adequate resources for the poor, the elderly and the marginalized who daily struggle with the very real problems of hunger, homelessness and too few job opportunities must be a top priority.  Too many are facing obstacles as they work to leave the welfare rolls.  Many more are uninsured and have limited, if any, access to health care and an inability to secure affordable, needed prescription medications.  We are concerned that trends in the current economy will only add to these pressures.

Frequently the bottom line becomes the focus of a budget process, but I would ask that you keep in mind that this nation?s federal budget will also convey this country's commitment to their vulnerable brothers and sisters.  Who we are as a nation and what we prioritize as important will be visible for all to see in the final version of the federal budget.

There are a number of suggestions we make regarding the budget resolution.

---We ask that you fully fund the $l.3 billion increase in the Social Services Block Grant, as contained in the Charity Aid      Recovery and Empowerment Act (CARE).

---We urge that any additional proposal to advance or expand the size of the child tax credit include refundability.  Additionally       we also support simplifying and expanding the Earned Income Credit, which benefits so many low-income families.

---We urge you to oppose the current cuts to the child nutrition, Food Stamp and emergency food assistance programs      as  called for in the House budget resolution.

---We were happy to see that some attention has been given to Medicaid programs through immediate fiscal relief to the states.  Any erosion of health care coverage for low-income families, the elderly and the disabled will only add to their plight.

---We ask you to place as priorities for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) ending family caps that deny      additional benefits following the birth of a new child.

---supporting appropriate levels of funding for programs that support healthy marriages and strong families with particular        attention to the problem of domestic violence;

--- restoring full benefits eligibility for legal immigrants;

---and to be cautious in modifying work requirements to keep from stalling the progress of those moving from poverty and       welfare to self-sufficiency.

---Support the President's initiative to set aside at least $89 billion over ten years to expand health care coverage for the      uninsured.

In conclusion I would just add that overcoming poverty and dependency will require more creative, responsive and effective action in both the public and private sectors.  The government is in the unique position of being able to shape programs to meet local realities.  Church "faith-based" programs can provide specialized support to all of those who are struggling in our communities.  And if we all take our responsibilities seriously -  our efforts, in partnership, can make a difference in so many lives.

Thank you for this opportunity to bring forth our concerns.