NO cuts to community needs in the FY24 budget!

As the shutdown looms, Congress must protect programs that help millions of people across the U.S. [AFSC logo]( [TAKE ACTION]( Send a message to Congress Dear Friend, A government shutdown is likely as Congress nears the Sept. 30th deadline to pass a budget for the next fiscal year. No matter what happens, it’s important that elected officials protect food assistance, health care, and other vital programs that help millions of children, seniors, and others across the U.S. [Tell your representatives: Reject any cuts to community needs in the FY24 budget!]( Cuts to social safety net programs would further harm millions of low-income people who recently saw the end of pandemic-era benefits. The child poverty rate has more than doubled since Congress ended the expanded child tax credit, according to the latest Census numbers. Millions more people have lost food assistance and health care. But still, some House Republicans are threatening a government shutdown to impose further cuts. These Republican leaders are also using the budget process to limit abortion access and harm migrants and LGBTQ people. They propose cutting gender transition care for people with federally subsidized health insurance. They want to defund organizations that provide even basic services to undocumented migrants. And they want to prohibit the mailing of the abortion medication mifepristone. Congress must act now to protect human needs in the federal budget. Urge your elected officials to reject shutdown threats. Demand that they preserve funding for programs that protect the well-being of all people. Tell them to instead stop funding war, abusive immigration enforcement, and corporate tax breaks. [Send a message today!]( In peace, Mike Merryman-Lotze Just Peace Global Policy Director [TAKE ACTION]( American Friends Service Committee 1501 Cherry Street Philadelphia, PA 19102 United States [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram |]( [Blog]( If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please [unsubscribe](.