CONTACT: Maria Huemmer, TCC Communication Director, 512-339-9882

AUSTIN – Texas Catholic bishops today released a letter urging U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling—Texas’ only member on the deficit reduction “Super Committee”—to preserve programs  that protect the life and dignity of the country’s vulnerable citizens when seeking to reduce government spending.

The letter was sent by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and Archbishop García-Siller, of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, on behalf of all of Texas’ bishops.   It urged U.S. Rep. Hensarling and the other members of the Congressional Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction to ensure that measures to reduce government spending are done in an effort of “shared sacrifice and responsibility from all.”

“We understand the tenuousness of the federal government’s current fiscal situation, and that appropriate measures be taken,” wrote the bishops, acknowledging that “continued deficits and debt will only further suffocate job creation and economic growth across all socioeconomic levels.”

Nevertheless, the bishops noted that “poverty has grown to unprecedented levels in the United States, afflicting some 46 million Americans,” the letter stated. “Government programs that help the most vulnerable and needy with affordable housing, adequate food, and basic health care should not be disproportionately targeted for cuts during these economically trying times.”

The Texas Bishops have called on Catholics across the state to advocate against budget deficit reductions that disproportionately hurt the poor through the Texas Catholic Conference, their statewide public policy voice.

Click here to read the letter online.

The Texas Catholic Conference is the association of the 15 Roman Catholic dioceses of the State of Texas and is the official public policy voice of the Bishops of Texas. For more information on the Texas Catholic Conference, visit www.TXCatholic.org.

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