Editorial Reflections

Faith leaders say budget is moral document

In Spokane and Spokane Valley, 19 faith leaders joined 29 others in Washington State to send a letter prepared by the Friends Committee on National Legislation to Senator Patty Murray, urging her to protect Congress's authority over federal spending and ensure the budget reflects shared moral values by funding peacebuilding, humanitarian aid and human dignity. 

The letter notes that 1) our faith traditions teach that all life is sacred and deserving of dignity, 2) caring for neighbors—at home and abroad—is a fundamental moral responsibility, and 3) faiths are called to work toward a future of peace and justice.

The FCNL considers the nation's budget as a moral document that should reflect the shared values of meeting human needs and funding peace. The letter urges the senator to continue funding programs that allow families and individuals to live with dignity in peaceful, thriving communities and to continue funding international peacebuilding, conflict prevention, food aid and global health.  It also expresses faith leaders' concern on the state of democracy and "unprecedented efforts" to take away Congress's authority to decide how federal money is spent.

The leaders urge her to continue and enhance the guardrails in the FY '27 appropriations bills, to reassert Congress' power of the purse by preventing unauthorized transfers of funds, requiring timely apportionment of funds, mandating congressional notification of spending plans and restoring timely public reporting.

"Leadership that protects our democracy and prioritizes people's needs is more important now than ever," the letter says.

Alan Binnie
Signature gatherer for Friends Committee on National Legislation