(RNS) The nation's Roman Catholic bishops are urging the GOP-led House
to reject a cuts-only approach to the budget as Washington tries to
avert an unprecedented government default on its multi-trillion-dollar
debts.
"A just framework for future budgets cannot rely on disproportionate
cuts in essential services to poor persons," wrote Bishop Stephen Blaire
of Stockton, Calif., and Bishop Howard Hubbard of Albany, N.Y., in a
Tuesday (July 26) letter to House members.
The bishops said balancing the budget "requires shared sacrifice by
all," and called for raising revenues, eliminating unneeded military and
other spending, and addressing the long-term costs of health insurance
and retirement programs fairly.
