WASHINGTON Nov. 3 — U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) today introduced an amendment renaming the Republican reconciliation bill to reflect the view of national religious leaders that the measure is “a moral disaster.” Senator Lautenberg’s amendment would change the name of the bill to the “Moral Disaster of Monumental Proportion Reconciliation Act.” “The problem isn’t just that the numbers don’t add up — it’s that the values don’t add up,” said Lautenberg. “This bill would close the door of opportunity and cut critical services to the poor, the elderly, the sick, and the hungry. And it would add billions of dollars to the national debt that our grandchildren will have to repay.” Religious leaders of many faiths have denounced the bill’s proposed cuts to health care, food stamps, education and other important priorities in the bill, warning that such cuts are at odds with the values of people of faith. The National Council of Churches, which represents 40 million Christians, called this budget a “moral disaster of monumental proportion” and warned it is “contrary to all the fundamental Christian values.” The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Catholic Charities, and other groups have also condemned these proposed cuts. Lautenberg said the name of the bill should be changed because “honesty is also an American value. Let’s call this bill what it is — a moral disaster.”

Senator Lautenberg’s Web Page