ICAN - Press Release

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Date: October 5, 2005

For more information, contact:
Matt Russell, 515-689-8219 - mrussell@iowacan.org or
Lana Ross, 515-681-9298 - advocate@iaumc.org

Faith Groups and Advocacy Organization Rush to Respond to Senate Action on the Federal Budget

DES MOINES, Iowa (Oct. 5, 2005) – Advocates of low-income services Wednesday rushed findings from six public hearings to Iowa’s two U.S. senators, who as members of the Agriculture Committee on Thursday will be considering $3 billion in cuts to services including food stamps.

Over the past two weeks, 15 organizations co-sponsored public hearings about the federal budget process in six Iowa communities. Organizers on Wednesday sent copies of the letters and stories collected at those meetings to Senators Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley in preparation for the Agriculture Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday. Among the $3 billion in cuts to be considered are over $500,000,000 in cuts to food stamps.

“In all six public hearings, Iowans were saying ‘no’ to the budget reconciliation process that cuts basic services to our nation’s most vulnerable while at the same time, extends tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans. The Senate Agriculture Committee’s work tomorrow represents the first action of any committee in the reconciliation process. It is disappointing that options such as payment limitations or rolling back tax cuts are passed over and instead Congress is talking about cutting food stamps,” says Matt Russell, organizer with Iowa Citizen Action Network.

“As I am rapidly preparing copies of the letters to be sent to Senators Harkin and Grassley today because of the rush to do the Agriculture Committee budget, I have deep and real concern that the proposed changes in the food stamp program do not reflect the values of most Iowans,” said Lana Ross, Advocate for The Iowa Conference of The United Methodist Church. “I can’t help but think about Larry, whom I met at one of our meetings, who will be hurt if there are cuts in the food stamp program. I know Larry represents millions of Americans who receive assistance from the food stamp program.”

Nearly 300 Iowans came out and participated in the public hearings to share stories and write letters urging our congressional delegation to oppose any cuts to programs that serve low income children and families. The following three quotes are examples of the powerful stories that were shared in the meetings and included in letters to be sent to our members of Congress. A full report will be released later this month.

“I believe it is immoral and un-Christian to consider lowering taxes for the most wealthy Americans, when also considering significant cuts to food stamps. My family received food stamps for two years in the late ’70s when my children were very young – now I’ve graduated from college and make a comfortable income,” writes a parent from Cedar Rapids.

“We are doing incredible work by local generosity, smart leadership and God’s grace. But, if you cut more out – people – my friends in my area will die. Maybe slowly, maybe invisibly, maybe quietly, but they will die,” writes a local pastor from rural southern Iowa.

“I know that providers are stretched to the max, and if food stamps are cut this will be devastating to these local good Samaritans,” writes a Des Moines resident who works for a non-profit organization that provides food assistance.

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