ACTION ALERT: Tell Congress to Prioritize Grace Over Greed in FY 2026 Appropriations
The United States Congress has less than two weeks to avoid a government shutdown by passing a funding measure for the 2026 fiscal year. As the appropriations process continues, our call remains the same – to advocate for the prioritization of grace over greed.
As United Methodists, “We decry the widening gap between the rich and the poor and the concentration of wealth in the hands of ever smaller percentages of the global population. We lament that too many of the world’s people lack the basic resources necessary for survival and pledge ourselves to work toward the eradication of the roots and effects of poverty.” (The United Methodist Social Principles, The Economic Community, Economic Challenges, B. Poverty and Income Inequality)
The appropriations bill for defense includes increases in funding for dangerous nuclear weapons and provides further funding for the still undefined and extremely expensive “Golden Dome” missile defense system.
Similarly, $19.3 billion has been proposed for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - $959.7 million above the FY 2025 enacted levels.
While funding for defense and border protection expands, non-defense spending for programs like healthcare for veterans, aid to low-income school districts, and critical research are at risk for being drastically cut. The House Appropriations Committee has proposed a 2026 funding level for non-defense programs that is $37 billion below the current 2025 level.
Act now to let your congressional leaders know that grace must continue to be prioritized over greed throughout the federal budgeting process.
