NCJW Commends Congress on Passage of Federal Budget Resolution
June 5, 2008, Washington, DC -- The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) today commended Congress for adopting a budget resolution that highlights the critical importance of programs serving women, children, and families. NCJW President Nancy Ratzan released the following statement:
"NCJW is pleased that Congress has rejected the President's misplaced priorities by adopting a budget resolution that reinvests in vital housing, home energy, nutrition, health, education, and other services for young and old alike. These programs have not, in most cases, kept up with inflation since 2005 and were never adequate in the first place.
"For example, since 2005 nearly two-thirds of Head Start programs have suffered program cuts; 150,000 rental housing vouchers have been lost; and an estimated 169,000 fewer workers received training through the Workforce Investment Act.
"The failure to keep pace with inflation is serious enough, but the need has grown and even accelerated with the current economic downturn. Increases in the cost of home heating oil and gasoline, rising food prices for staples such as milk and eggs, foreclosures on 20,000 households per week, and increased joblessness cry out for federal aid. An immediate stimulus package of extended unemployment benefits, improved food stamps and other food aid, additional low-income home heating assistance would deliver help where it is most needed.
"With this budget resolution, Congress has taken the first step toward a renewed investment in critical human needs. NCJW applauds this action and urges Congress to make good on the promise of this budget in the weeks and months to come."
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
Contact:
Emily Alfano
202 296 2588 x5; emily@ncjwdc.org