For Immediate Release: April 10, 2013

Contact: Patricia Cole pcole@catholiccharitiesusa.org (571) 527-3244

Catholic Charities USA President Rev. Larry Snyder Issues Statement on Presidents FY 2014 Budget Proposal
Alexandria, Va. Catholic Charities USA President, Rev. Larry Snyder, issued the following statement in response to the Presidents FY 2014 Budget proposal: Catholic Charities USA and our network of local agencies across the country appreciate the opportunity that President Obamas budget proposal for FY 2014 provides for a serious debate of our priorities as a nation. This conversation comes at a critical time, as the most vulnerable among us are already feeling a disproportionate impact of cuts to social service initiatives prompted by the sequester. Waiting lists are growing, food vouchers are disappearing, and too many people are struggling to make ends meet, despite hard work and a strong desire to lift up themselves and their families. Our volunteers and network of local agencies continue to see these struggles firsthand as they work to meet the increased needs of individuals and working families. While we recognize the fiscal challenges we continue to face as a nation, and acknowledge that social service initiatives will not be immune to the many tough choices that must be made, we must ensure that the nonprofit sector at the front lines of providing aid for those in need is not further harmed federal spending cuts. Our local agencies across the country would be greatly affected by reductions to programs like the Social Services Block Grant that funds feeding, child abuse prevention and substance abuse programs or cuts to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, which would lead to more families with pregnant women and young children showing up at hunger centers that are already struggling to meet a growing demand for food. In addition, limits to the charitable tax deduction will hamper the ability of our local agencies to raise vitally needed funds and would result in fewer donations and more reliance on diminishing government services. Across this nation, Catholic Charities agencies continue to commit ourselves to the least among us and we cannot do this work without effective partnership and support from the federal government. We call on our leaders in the White House and Congress on both sides of the aisle to prioritize investments in initiatives that have proven to be efficient and effective, ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent not on government bureaucracy, but on the people in communities across the country who continue to struggle.

About Catholic Charities USA

Catholic Charities USA is the national office for Catholic Charities agencies nationwide. Catholic Charities USAs members provide help and create hope for more than 10 million people a year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds. To learn more about CCUSA, please visit www.catholiccharitiesusa.org ###