Written by: Jim Hansen
Friday, July 06, 2007

Below is the letter we will be sending to Idaho's congressional delegation. If you are part of an organization that would like to sign on, let us know (via e-mail or call 208-331-7028). As an individual, please send your response to your representative and both Senators as well. Links to their e-mail are below.

Dear:

Our nation’s investment in basic health, education, worker training, child care, nutrition and other vital family needs have been neglected by Congress for many years. The budget resolution that Congress adopted in May allows an increase of just 3.1% beyond inflation for non-defense appropriations. This is modest but urgently needed target. With investment at this level, Congress can take meaningful steps towards strengthening our families and communities.

Regrettably, just as Congress got to work writing the appropriations bills, the White House threatened to veto any that exceeded the president’s budget request. A group calling itself the “Republican Study Committee” (RSC) circulated a letter and demanded that members support any such veto prior to initial vote on the appropriations bills. The RSC claims that it has enough names to sustain a veto and thereby block these modest but critical funding increases for our communities.

We are Idaho organizations working to support Idaho families in many ways. We are deeply troubled by the fact that any Representative would even consider rejecting each funding request in advance by signing a letter that amounts to a partisan loyalty oath. The challenges Idaho families face are not partisan and we expect our representatives to invest in helping to address those challenges in an open, fair and non-partisan way. We see the need for these investments in Idaho families every day and are appalled that any representatives would preclude full consideration of each budget item.

Hundreds of thousands of Idahoans are working very hard and are still struggling to make ends meet. We are Americans who live up to the values of hard work, raising our families, educating our children, contributing to our communities and sacrificing for our country. We stand together to urge Congress to create a budget that invests in these values and priorities our families and communities.

As our Representative in Congress, we expect you to face these very important choices in a non-partisan way. Our nation’s investment in health, education, worker training, child care and the basic needs of health, food, heat and housing are central to every family. We need your help to support public investments that allow parents to work so that they can also raise and educate their children and to protect seniors and people with disabilities.

Please do not to sign the RSC loyalty letter or other partisan deal that undermines the ability of Congress to pass domestic appropriations that restores support for these critical investments.

Thank you,

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