March 13, 2006
Ask Your Senators to Support Increased Discretionary Funding for Human Needs and Social Service Programs
Issue
The President’s budget request called to reduce the deficit primarily by cutting programs that meet basic human needs. The House and Senate Budget Committees are currently working on their budget resolutions.
NASW strongly supports the maintenance of a strong safety net for vulnerable populations and opposes these cuts to critical human needs programs.
Action Requested
As early as March 13, the full Senate will be weighing in on their support for or opposition to the budget resolution. Contact your Senators to share your opposition to budget cuts that target human needs while also cutting vitally needed revenues to support key federal programs.
- On March 14 and 15, call your Senators through the American Friend’s Service Committee’s Toll-Free Number: 800-459-1887.
Sample Script for Senator's staff:
Please tell Senator __________ to support any budget amendment that increases the level of discretionary spending in the budget resolution. This will help avoid harmful cuts in education, child welfare, training, health care, nutrition, housing, and other services for vulnerable children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
- Send a pre-drafted letter to your member through NASW’s Congress Web at www.socialworkers.org/advocacy/grassroots/congressweb.asp
- Request an in-person meeting with your Senator or Member of Congress during the recess March 18-26. You can find District office information on their Web sites through www.senate.gov
If you make a phone call or set up a meeting, please let us know via e-mail at advocacy@naswdc.org
Background
The Senate Budget Committee has reviewed the Administration’s budget request, questioned Administration officials about the request, and developed a budget resolution that the full Senate will need to vote on. Key areas of concern include:
The main concern with the Senate Budget Resolution is that it has set the total discretionary budget funding too low. It is set at $873 billion. Appropriators will have to consider cuts to many programs that are important to social workers and our clients including the Social Services Block Grant, Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program, loan forgiveness, Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, Workforce Investment Act, and Welfare.
For additional information, please contact Dina Zarrella, senior field organizer, at dzarrella@naswc.org or 202-336-8218.
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