Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, President of the Children’s Defense Fund, speaks today at the U.S. Capitol (photo credit: Pentecost Witness livestream)

When you’re up against the odds in the fight for justice, it’s important to remember we are part of a much larger community of advocates.

This morning hundreds of people of faith and conscience gathered in Washington, D.C., for a Pentecost Witness for a Moral Budget, an event out of the Christian tradition. The organizers emphasized, “people who are hungry, thirsty, immigrant, naked, sick, and imprisoned—the very people Jesus calls us to protect—are under real and dire threat. As you have done it to them, you have done it to me. This is a test both of our faith and our democracy.” After hearing from a wide range of faith leaders, people marched to the steps of the U.S. Senate and then met with their legislators, urging them to reject the proposed budget bill that cuts healthcare and food access for our communities to fund tax breaks for billionaires and mass deportations.

At Faith Action Network, we are grateful for the diverse faith communities in our network and nation who are powerfully speaking out against this immoral budget. FAN stands as a multi-faith movement for justice, love, and compassion in these challenging times. While our primary focus is state-level advocacy, we have long fought for a Farm Bill that feeds hungry people, and our collective faiths all call us to care for the sick and the poor. This harmful legislation directly impacts our dear friends and neighbors and goes against our shared values.

Join us as we send a message to our Senators in solidarity with all the people of faith and conscience at the U.S. Senate today!

Thank you for joining FAN this spring as we’ve sent letters, made calls, and met with Congressional Representatives to urge them to protect Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Despite widespread public outcry, the House passed a budget resolution on May 22 with devastating cuts to Medicaid (over $700 Billion) and SNAP (nearly $300 Billion), including cruel provisions to strip refugees and other lawfully present immigrants from accessing federal aid.

The Senate is now taking up the House’s budget reconciliation bill and making its own changes. Only four Republican Senators need to vote “no” in order for the bill to die, and several have expressed reservations for a variety of reasons. During this time of negotiations, we want to thank Senators Murray and Cantwell for all they have done to fight these cuts and urge them to work across the aisle to prevent this cruel bill from moving forward.

We are not giving up – join us as we raise our voices together and urge our Senators to continue the fight!

– Personalize FAN’s “Keep Up the Fight!” Action Letter above with your own story about why SNAP and Medicaid are essential.

– Learn how Medicaid provides critical healthcare for 1.8 million people of all ages in WA state

– Learn how SNAP is a crucial part of food security in WA state, benefiting over 800,000 residents (1 in 9 people)

– Watch a recording of today’s public action in Washington, D.C.