from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, Senior Director

Partial expanded content from Advocacy Connections: May 2025

BUDGET RECONCILIATION ADVANCES VIA COMMITTEE | FEMA THREATS | ADVOCACY WITH COMPANION CHURCHES | HUMANITARIAN AID TO GAZA | TAX REFORMS | MIGRATION POLICY UPDATES

 

BUDGET RECONCILIATION ADVANCES VIA COMMITTEE: Individual committees in the House of Representatives have scheduled “mark up” dates to write up budget reconciliation text, with much happening the week of 5/12/2025. This comes after the House and Senate passed a shared budget resolution “blueprint” Apr. 14, which instructs committees to find “up-to” 2 trillion dollars in “pay-fors” for a wider tax cut package. A Call In Action Alert has been released to facilitate time-sensitive comments from the ELCA Advocacy Network to their representatives in this significant moment.

House and Senate Republicans have been at odds for weeks over the size of a tax cut package and whether it must be paid for with offsetting spending cuts. This intersects with several priority concerns in the ELCA, including:

• Considered cuts to Medicaid, including increasing work requirements for Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents, increasing federal-state cost-share for the program, or capping assistance for expanded Medicaid states.
• Potential reductions to SNAP and hunger federal funding, with some reports of seeking $230 billion in this area, possibly neutralizing future growth of the Thrifty Food Program and increasing the age limit for work requirements.
• Discussed $330 billion cut to federal student loan programs.
• Potential additional cuts to environmental programs that would roll back certain climate regulations (such as the fee on methane emissions and Environmental Protection Agency’s tailpipe emissions rule).
• Changes to Inflation Reduction Act’s tax credits intended to slow climate change and boost clean energy such as wind and solar power.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

There are many reasons Lutherans are attending to our shared economic life. For example, the ELCA social statement Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All distills: “Government is intended to serve God’s purposes by limiting or countering narrow economic interests and promoting the common good… Governing leaders are to be held accountable to God’s purposes: ‘May [they] judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice… May [they] defend the cause of the poor of the people’ (Psalm 72:2)” p. 11. Also, the ELCA social statement Caring for Creation states, “This church will favor proposals and actions that address environmental issues in a manner consistent with the principles of participation, solidarity, sufficiency, and sustainability” (p. 11).

What’s Next:

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated hopes that the House and Senate will find some compromise for a wider tax bill and send it to the president’s desk by July 4, but the GOP conference remains divided on whether they should cut spending even more or avoid cuts to critical low-income programs. ELCA advocacy staff shared Action Alerts on hunger, education, Medicaid and more over the last month, and will continue to encourage calls to action on priorities that impact the mission of our ministries as the committees deliberate text.

FEMA THREATS: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reportedly created a plan to dismantle critical disaster response, recovery and resilience operations at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The reported plan comes after the administration paused $700 million in resiliency funds from the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. Media reports indicate that the agency will be decimated with the Atlantic hurricane season just six weeks away.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

With extensive experience and investment through Lutheran Disaster Response and local involvement, the ELCA advocacy team issued an Action Alert to mobilize members to call upon their elected officials to express concern about cutting or dismantling federal disaster response.

What’s Next:

The FEMA Council the administration established through Executive Order remains active. According to a DHS press release (4/28/25), President Trump has appointed 13 new members to the Council. Membership of the committee is centered around Gulf Coast states, and several members have some form of emergency management experience. Overall, ELCA advocacy staff and partners assess that this shows our advocacy and organizing against the dismantlement of FEMA is working, which can be counted as a positive development. The existence of the council will, at least, slow the dismantling process down. Regardless, the existence of this council means that our advocacy around the recent FEMA Request for Information are going to be a lot more impactful.

• This situation is constantly evolving; on 5/8/25, acting FEMA chief Cameron Hilton was forced out after breaking rank with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and President Trump, and new FEMA head David Richardson told FEMA staff he would “run right over” anyone that resists changes, and that all delegation of authority in the agency is immediately suspended according to Reuters.

 

ADVOCACY WITH COMPANION CHURCHES: This month, Dr. Paul Mmbando, the Director of Health Programs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), was hosted by ELCA D.C.-based staff and met with several congressional offices and committee staff to discuss the lifesaving importance of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). He spoke of ways ELCT’s PEPFAR project known as Kizazi Hodari, funded through USAID, was instrumental in helping orphaned and vulnerable children in northern Tanzania thrive. The ELCT’s Kizazi Hodari project is one of many that has been prematurely terminated by the Trump administration due to change of U.S. policy.

• Through facilitation of Daudi Msseemmaa, ELCA Regional Representative to East Africa, Dr. Godson Maro, Chief of Party for the ELCT’s Kizazi Hodari program shared insights on the lifesaving ministry and it’s truncation through present U.S. policy in Episode 4 of Here I Pod from ELCA Advocacy.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

Companion churches are a critical part of our church and of our advocacy efforts. They bring unique voices and perspectives to policy decisions. Many members of Congress are eager to hear from partners on the ground, who are often the ones experiencing the impact of policy decisions made far from their own communities. Dr. Mmbando found an audience that was keen to hear of ELCT’s experience with U.S. government foreign assistance programs as Congress charts a way forward. As a church that fosters relationships based on accompaniment, such connections are critical to faith-based advocacy.

What’s Next:

Since Dr. Mmbando’s visit, there have been follow-up conversations with congressional staff about ways Congress can continue supporting global health programs like PEPFAR and restore projects that have been abruptly terminated. ELCA advocacy staff will continue to engage these offices to ensure sustainability of these programs and encourage our advocate network to message Congress to restore funding. An Action Alert is available.

HUMANITARIAN AID TO GAZA: Since Mar. 2, after the collapse of the ceasefire, the Israeli government has continued to block humanitarian aid and most provision of water into the Gaza Strip. At this juncture, most food stocks at UN and International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGOs) warehouses inside the Gaza Strip are depleted, and obtaining water is becoming extremely difficult.

The UN now estimates that Gaza is facing its worst humanitarian crisis since the start of the conflict on Oct., 2023. Provision of healthcare and emergency medical assistance in Gaza is now at its lowest ebb, with key medical supplies depleted and a lack of blood supplies. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) bombing of the Episcopal affiliated al-Ahli Arab hospital on Apr. 13, 2025, further degraded the ability to provide healthcare services in North Gaza. Evacuation orders and the imposition of “military zones” in the Gaza Strip by the IDF has put 70% of the strip off limits to Gaza residents, cramming the Strip’s entire population into the remaining 30% of available land. It is estimated that at least 420,000 Gazans have been displaced since the ceasefire collapse in March.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

The critical situation in Gaza and the ongoing conflict continues to directly impact the ELCA’s Lutheran siblings in the Holy Land, in addition to putting the wider Christian community of the Holy Land at further physical risk. The conflict is also further eroding and destroying the interfaith relationship between all three Abrahamic faiths, which is impacting the ELCA’s interfaith relationships here in the United States.

What’s Next:

ELCA advocacy staff accompanied an U.S.-Egypt Dialogue delegation to their congressional and State Department meetings during the week of Apr. 28. During these meetings ELCA staff including the Executive Director of ELCA Service & Justice brought up the need for the United States to put pressure on the Israeli government to lift the blockade on Gaza and allow humanitarian aid into the enclave. Additionally, the issue of the bombing of the al-Ahli Arab Hospital on Palm Sunday was news to several members of Congress who requested additional information about the situation with the hospital and about the overall situation with healthcare in Gaza. ELCA advocacy staff will continue to follow up and provide this information and work to pursue a bipartisan letter from Congress to the White House demanding to understand the White House’s strategy for protecting the Christian community in the Holy Land moving forward.

TAX REFORMS: As Congress considers cuts to programs, House Ways and Means and Senate Finance is simultaneously considering tax cuts to bundle together in a wider reconciliation bill.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

The social statement Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All references the need for a just tax code: “Paying taxes to enable government to carry out these and other purposes is an appropriate expression of our stewardship in society, rather than something to be avoided. Government often falls short of these responsibilities. Its policies can harm the common good and especially the most vulnerable in society. Governing leaders are to be held accountable to God’s purposes: “May [they] judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice… May [they] defend the cause of the poor of the people” (Psalm 72:2).

What’s Next:

Though the majority of tax relief is expected to benefit businesses, committee leaders have been approached by a large variety of proposals, including expanding the Child Tax Credit and passing new perks to low-income housing development. Earlier in April, Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) reintroduced legislation to expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program, estimated to help create up to 1.6 million affordable homes over a decade by increasing the total tax credits allocated to states and easing some public financing requirements. Meanwhile, GOP lawmakers continue to debate the inclusion of an expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC), which could involve an inflation value increase which would make the credit permanent, adding a baby-bonus (an explored way by the administration to increase the country’s birth rate), and more. A variety of lawmakers are hoping introduced tax bills from this spring will be included in the wider reconciliation package. ELCA advocacy staff shared an Action Alert on the CTC last month and will continue to track these bills as they advance in Congress.

MIGRATION POLICY UPDATES: While the position of ELCA Program Director for Migration Policy is unfilled, monitor @ELCAammparo on Facebook and the ELCA AMMPARO Blog for current activity.

 

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By Emily Ahern, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow [About the Author] 

On May 1st, many observed the public holiday May Day, otherwise known as International Workers’ Day. This day is set aside specifically to commemorate working class people and to shed light on the demands made by people involved in the labor movement. Christians have intertwined with this movement, historically and today, and Lutheran teaching shapes our point of view. 

 

A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE 

May 1 was specifically chosen to commemorate the strike which would culminate in the Haymarket Riot, a clash between labor protesters and police on May 4, 1886 which led to the deaths of at least eight people and brought increased attention to the American labor movement. 

From the turn of the 19th century up until the Great Depression, labor organizers found allies in religious Americans, particularly those of Protestant affiliation. An influx of Protestant immigrants saw workers entering the “craft” trades (supported both by what is known as the Social Gospel and the Protestant Work Ethic). With significant representation in the largest group of unions in the country, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) (the largest group of unions in the country), Protestants felt a pull to adhere to the Social Gospel’s call to social justice and often both turned to union work and supported the rights of others to unionize. 

The Great Depression saw the integration of many religious, racial and ethnic groups in union spaces. The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), which first broke away from the AFL due to disagreements over their belief in the organization of all industries (craft and non-craft alike), reintegrated with the AFL after its leadership was ousted in droves due to allegations of communist affiliation. Together, the AFL and the CIO formed what is now known as the AFL-CIO, and those who were once part of the CIO took to organizing laborers in non-craft trades, who were often Catholic or Jewish, in droves. Soon, the labor movement became a monolith composed of different identity groups – racial barriers began to be broken down, and workers of a number of faith traditions worked together on issues related to workers’ rights. 

 

LUTHERAN SHAPING OF VIEW ON LABOR

In my reflection, I think it is in our marrow to work. Genesis 2:15 says that humankind was placed in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it. Perhaps most importantly, Colossians 3:23-24 says that “Whatever task you must do, work as if your soul depends on it, as for the Lord and not for humans, since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.” Our Christian tradition teaches the inherent dignity of all human beings, as we are made in the image of God. Our work can express this dignity; however, work is not all that we are as humans.¹

With this understanding of human dignity, it is essential that employers treat their workers with respect. This includes being compensated fairly, given good benefits and treated fairly. The ELCA social statement on Economic Life calls us as a church to “commit ourselves to… cultivate participatory workplaces, support the right of employees to organize for the sake of better working conditions and to engage in collective bargaining, and refrain from intentionally undercutting union organizing activities, or from permanently replacing striking workers” (p. 10). 

This idea goes back to Martin Luther’s original understanding of vocation. He made clear that all vocations – from working in farms to working as a minister – please God. For Luther, all work is an opportunity to praise God and shine our light as people of faith. As we are all redeemed through faith, any work conducted in faith is an opportunity to spread the gospel and show kindness and goodness to our neighbor. Martin Luther’s radical understanding of vocation and its foundations in Colossians shape our Lutheran attitude toward labor today. No form of labor is above another – therefore, we are called to support each other in our vocations, including supporting the rights of all workers, union or nonunion, high-wage or low-wage.  

 

CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS

Today, the dignity of work experiences new challenges that should concern us as Christians and workers across the United States. Recently, the National Labor Relations Board, the quasi-judicial body which litigates labor disputes and investigates companies and corporations alleged violations of labor law, has been functionally frozen. In an Executive Order, the White House asked the Department of Labor (DOL) to halt all workplace discrimination investigations. Meanwhile, policymakers are also considering cutting essential programs such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) which ensures workplace safety standards. In another Executive Order, the President restricted or eliminated employment protections for workers in numerous federal agencies. These agencies– including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration–were questionably declared “to have as a primary function intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work,” and therefore were rendered ineligible for these labor protections. As Christians with a history of upholding the whole needs of the human person, including essential elements of work, these developments should concern us.   

 

CALL TO REFLECTION TODAY

Labor in the United States would not be nearly as strong, nearly as effective, or nearly as safe without people of faith. As we as Lutherans reflect on our commitment to work and human dignity, I encourage us to reflect as Lutherans on our commitment to work and human dignity not just historically but also today.  

 

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1 See also the ELCA social statement Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All: “Although our identity does not depend on what we do, through our work we should be able to express this God-given dignity as persons of integrity, worth, and meaning. Yet work does not constitute the whole of our life” (p. 9).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Emily Ahern (she/her) is the Hunger Advocacy Fellow – Federal Policy with ELCA Advocacy. She is originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania, and a lifelong member of congregations of the ELCA. She graduated from American University this past spring with a degree in Political Science, and graduated (once again) from American University this May with a Master’s in Public Administration. Ahern is so excited to research and advocate for policy which will alleviate the effects of hunger and poverty for all Americans! In her free time, she can be found collecting vinyl, going to concerts and watching Star Wars.

By the Rev. Erin Jones, Communications and Advocacy Engagement Manager, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania

A deep exploration of the signs and dangers of Christian nationalism, and ways we as disciples of Jesus are called to confront and counter those forces, took place on March 7-8, 2025, co-hosted by Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa), an ELCA-affiliated state public policy office (SPPO). LAMPa was delighted to co-host “Hope in a Divided World: A Faithful Response to Christian Nationalism” alongside Kindling Faith at United Lutheran Seminary at the Gettysburg Campus with nationally renowned scholars and speakers such as Dr. Lori Brandt Hale of the International Bonhoeffer Society – English Language Section and Amanda Tyler of the Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty.

Tyler, who is also the lead organizer of Christians Against Christian Nationalism*, opened the Saturday gathering with an overview of Christian nationalism and how it manifests itself in our current context in the United States. Drawing on Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) surveys, she illustrated how the tenants of Christian nationalism are often antithetical to the U.S. Constitution, and therefore it is “neither Christian, nor patriotic.” She also cautioned against calling individuals “Christian nationalists,” as that is “not an immutable identity marker, and doing so can shut down conversation.” Instead, she suggests the best way to confront a person espousing Christian nationalist sentiments is to approach with curiosity, grace and a willingness to enter into relationship.

This call to deeper relationship segued well into Dr. Brandt Hale’s lecture on the lessons of Dietrich Bonhoeffer in this work. Brandt Hale worked with LAMPa in 2024 to produce and share a congregational curriculum on Bonhoeffer’s theology and legacy, in which she emphasizes that the question to address is not, “Is this a Bonhoeffer moment?” but rather Bonhoeffer’s own question, “Who is Christ for us today?” Brandt Hale called on participants to understand relationality more deeply, because by seeing our neighbors, especially as Bonhoeffer emphasized “the outcasts, the suspects, the maltreated, the powerless, the oppressed and reviled, in short from the perspective of the suffering,” we can more fully see God at work in real people. Bonhoeffer himself, she noted, knew that “Christ loved real people.”

The day closed with worship in word and sacrament, presided over by the Rev. Amy Reumann, Senior Director of ELCA Witness in Society. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton preached, using the lectionary texts for the First Sunday in Lent. Reflecting on the difference between the power the Devil offers Jesus in the wilderness and the power of the cross, Bishop Eaton said, “The Cross is an instrument of death, meant by the Roman Empire to humiliate and crush anyone who rose up against empire. But instead, God made this the very entrance to the beginning of life.”

By trusting in this new life, the work ahead of us will not be easy, but Bishop Eaton reminded the congregation, “God has placed us in community” and the work is not done in isolation. “We are a part of a movement; a movement of truth, a movement of freedom, a movement of love.”

The entire weekend was an example of that movement in action. By gathering in hope, learning from experts and scholars, and being called into action, participants left feeling more ready for the work of building relationships and speaking truth to power. Opportunities to engage with LAMPa and ELCA Advocacy were at the top of the list for action. Local groups and new relationships were also forged. And visions for the church’s place in response to harmful forces and policies were focused in new ways.

You can watch the recording of Saturday’s events here.

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*The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton is an originating endorser of this campaign, as are many other Lutherans.

from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, Senior Director

Partial expanded content from Advocacy Connections: March 2025

FEDERAL STAFF WORK REDUCTIONS | BUDGET RESOLUTION CUTS IN ENERGY PROGRAMS | U.S. FOREIGN ASSISTANCE FREEZE | AUGUSTA VICTORIA HOSPITAL | IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ROADMAP

 

FEDERAL STAFF WORK REDUCTIONS: The Trump administration is implementing widespread workforce reductions across federal agencies through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk. Not only are many in ELCA congregations who have been employed in public service positions reeling from changes, these cuts directly impact vulnerable populations served by federal agencies. The process has been chaotic, with some terminations quickly reversed at agencies like the Indian Health Service and Department of Agriculture. Experts describe the approach as using a “sledgehammer” rather than a “scalpel” to downsize the government.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

Lutherans recognize public service as a worthy calling and that public servants are to be treated with respect and dignity. People directly impacted by such changes in federal agencies include people experiencing homelessness, those dependent on affordable housing programs, farmers, Native American communities and most groups identified as priorities in social ministry work. These reductions, paired with continued backlogs of frozen grants and federal aid, threaten essential services that align with the church’s efforts to support our neighbors. Ongoing disruptions in federal services continue to cause crises, particularly in rural communities.

What’s Next:

The administration’s workforce reduction efforts will likely continue, but with ongoing reversals where compromise of critical functions is recognized or litigated. Housing and homelessness programs face particular uncertainty with proposed 84% staff reductions in HUD’S Office for Community Planning and Development. Witness in Society staff are connecting with Republican leadership in Congress to push back against the measures, and wider efforts to restructure critical funding streams.

BUDGET RESOLUTION CUTS IN ENERGY PROGRAMS: In attempts to advance the priorities of the new administration, Congress is working on a budget reconciliation package that will include cuts to programs that will significantly impact health care, hunger and other aspects of our communities, including energy programs. The Senate Budget Committee passed a budget resolution that would provide additional funds for defense spending, border security and immigration enforcement, and it would likely repeal many of the energy-related tax credits and other provisions enacted in last year’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). House Republicans are aiming to move one massive reconciliation bill that, in addition to the policies included in the slimmer Senate resolution, would extend the corporate and individual tax cuts in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) and would likely propose significant cuts to safety net programs, including Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also known as “food stamps”) and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

Passage of the IRA led to the largest investment the United States had ever made to address climate change and care for God’s creation. Included in the IRA were clean energy tax credits that individuals or churches could use to help the transition to clean energy (solar panels) or more efficient appliances. Various ELCA churches have made investments in these building upgrades while accounting for a 30% financial contribution from the federal government. With the potential for these tax credits to be cut, some congregations could be in the precarious situation of bearing the unexpected burden of climate-friendly technology expenses that were supposed to be covered by tax incentives.

What’s Next:

Congressional leadership will be working to advance some form of reconciliation package since passage in the House of the budget resolution blueprint. With both the House and Senate resolutions passed, committees in each chamber are conferencing legislative language to fulfill the instructions set out in the budget resolution. ELCA advocacy staff will be working with interfaith partners and coalitions to track the measure as it advances.

U.S. FOREIGN ASSISTANCE FREEZE: The Trump administration’s pause of U.S. foreign assistance and stop-work orders largely remains in place. Although some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that implement U.S. foreign assistance programs have received waivers for specific “lifesaving” projects, many of them have not been able to restart these programs for various reasons. Reasons include the fact that their contracting officers at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have been fired in addition to inaccessibility of the payment system used to process funds to these organizations. Moreover, the majority of humanitarian and development programs do not qualify for a waiver because they don’t fit the narrow definition of a “lifesaving” program per the guidance from administration officials at Department of State. As of Feb. 28, 90% of foreign assistance programs have been terminated, including those that received a waiver to proceed with work.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

The U.S. foreign assistance 90-day freeze has already caused significant harm to people all around the world, including displaced populations living in camps and folks who depend on U.S.-financed medicines to treat conditions such as HIV. As stated in the ELCA social statement Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All, “The world is the whole household of God that economic life is intended to serve. The Spirit of God expands our vision and transforms our priorities,” and we recognize the critical importance of U.S. foreign aid to communities most in need around the world.

What’s Next:

ELCA Witness in Society staff continue to meet with congressional offices to share concerns about the negative consequences this funding freeze is causing around the world, including its impact on the work of our church partners. Recently a federal judge at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the Trump administration could not freeze foreign aid funds that predate his inauguration and instructed Trump administration officials to release frozen funds by midnight, Feb. 26. This was followed by the Supreme Court‘s pause of the lower court order while it considers the Trump administration request to block the lower court’s ruling.

AUGUSTA VICTORIA HOSPITAL:  The U.S. government foreign funding freeze continues to keep monies already appropriated for the Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) in limbo. Additionally, all funding from the U.S. government for Palestine has been suspended, and it is unclear if any new funding assistance for AVH or Palestinian initiatives writ large will be approved by the current administration. Without a solution to this financial issue, AVH will eventually have to reduce the number of cancer patients they can treat this year.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

AVH, which is run by Lutheran World Federation, has wide support in the ELCA including engagement in advocacy on the hospital’s behalf. Support between ELCA membership and AVH is also evident with many ELCA members aware of the hospital’s work and positive impact on the lives of Palestinians.

What’s Next:

ELCA Witness in Society staff conducted a week of advocacy (Feb. 24-28) on Capitol Hill with a delegation from the LWF that included the CEO of AVH and LWF’s representative to Jerusalem. The advocacy week resulted in meeting with almost 20 congressional offices, including direct engagement with U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen and with staff of House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office. Building on the work that was done, ELCA advocacy staff will continue to engage with Congress to find a way to unfreeze funding to AVH and work to request additional funding be provided to AVH on a bipartisan basis, as has been done for the past 15 years.

IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ROADMAP: In late February, the House of Representatives and Senate passed budget blueprints to allow trillions in tax cuts and massively increase immigration enforcement spending as proposed by President Trump. The House’s budget resolution proposes more than $300 billion in military and immigration enforcement spending; the Senate’s has $340 billion. The budget resolution lays a roadmap for increases to border wall construction, detention and deportation across the nation. To meet deficit targets, Congress may propose tax-and-spending policy changes such as additional restrictions for safety net programs for which certain immigrants, including children, pregnant people and green card holders aged 5 and older, are eligible.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

Deliberately removing access to social safety net programs which certain eligible immigrants may make use of in emergencies will leave these persons more vulnerable to food, housing and medical insecurity. Lutherans have consistently advocated for immigration reforms to ensure a balance is met across security concerns and human dignity. The ELCA Economic Life social message affirms the role of government in helping meet the human needs of eligible immigrants.

What’s Next:

Various pieces of legislation have been floated as options during federal budget reconciliation, like the Secure the Border Act (H.R.2). Lawmakers will consider a slate of options in each committee of jurisdiction. Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed into law a year-long stopgap funding bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), to extend funding for the federal government through September, but budget negotiations continue.

 

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from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, Senior Director

Partial expanded content from Advocacy Connections: February 2025

DOMESTIC SERVICES AND GRANT ACCESS | PRESIDENT TRUMP WITHDRAWS FROM THE PARIS AGREEMENT | FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS | USAID IMPACTS | IMMIGRATION IMPERATIVES

This month has seen rapidly developing impact of executive actions from President Trump, jolting a vast array of government agencies and the people who intersect with related vital supports. All Witness in Society staff have been active with ELCA colleagues and partners to discern and advocate in the rapidly evolving, complex political climate, and with voicing ELCA priorities through shared experiences and ELCA social teachings with policy makers.

The ELCA presiding bishop has brought important reflection and action on current events, including through videos. Find “Responses to Executive Orders on Immigration” (2/14/25), “ELCA Responds to False Accusations on X” (2/2/25) and “Faith, fear and the call to community” (2/21/25) from the playlist on the ELCA Advocacy YouTube Channel as well as ELCA socials.

 

DOMESTIC SERVICES AND GRANT ACCESS:  Confusion follows an executive order implemented by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of a federal funding freeze on all federal aid and grants to organizations – largely impacting states and nonprofits. Though the memo has since been rescinded, aftershock impacts continue. The aftershock impacts left many domestic program funding portals, such as Medicaid for states and Section 8 assistance, inaccessible. Access to grants was closed for several days – with some programs still inaccessible for a lingering period, and with a federal judge citing evidence that the administration is continuing to freeze programs despite a court order.

Why It Matters in the ELCA

Regular administration of basic domestic services and grants is a core necessity for many low-income programs. The tangible result of this freeze included pausing research for cures for cancer, halting food assistance, stopping infrastructure construction, closing suicide hotlines, and much more. Delays in payments also resulted in furloughing programmatic staff while creating mass confusion among shelters, food pantries and contractors. Though the federal freeze for domestic aid programs has since been rescinded, Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staff have indicated they will continue combing all programs that help low-income families for consideration of elimination.

What’s Next

Several non-profit organizations and states, including the National Council of Nonprofits, are leading lawsuits against this U.S.-wide grant freeze which resulted in the initial withdrawal of the memo. ELCA Witness in Society staff will be tracking the progress of the lawsuit alongside Lutheran partners, while sharing with lawmakers the impact of the short-term freeze.

PRESIDENT TRUMP WITHDRAWS FROM THE PARIS AGREEMENT: Upon being inaugurated into the office of the U.S. president, Donald Trump immediately issued an EO calling for the United States to withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. This action will take the United States out of the first global agreement to collectively combat climate change.

Why It Matters in the ELCA

The ELCA stands strong in its commitment to caring for creation, and in that commitment, bolstered by the 2023 social message “Earth’s Climate Crisis,” calls for government action toward combatting climate change and promoting a clean energy transition. The ELCA has been present and advocating for positive action at the annual Conference of Parties to the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP). The experience of our Lutheran delegation at the recent COP29 was shared in a webinar. A recording of this webinar, “Voices of Faith in Climate Action: COP29 and Beyond,” is available.

What’s Next

As one of the largest global emitters of greenhouse gases, the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement gravely threatens global progress on climate change as well as multilateral cooperation more generally. ELCA advocacy staff will continue to advocate for policies and regulations in line with the Nationally Declared Contribution (NDC), country commitments to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change within the Paris Agreement, which were announced by the outgoing Biden administration.

FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS:  Most U.S. foreign assistance programs have been impacted by a series of EOs and directives that were issued by President Trump soon after his inauguration. The administration has sent stop-order requirements to all existing foreign assistance awards, effectively pausing implementation of many development and humanitarian programs in low and middle-income countries. This is in addition to the EO pausing new U.S. foreign assistance obligations and disbursements pending a 90-day review. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS (PEPFAR) is one of the programs that have been impacted.

Why It Matters in the ELCA

The ELCA has long been involved in advocacy related to U.S. foreign aid to help fight hunger, extreme poverty and disease around the world. Millions of lives have been saved because of U.S. foreign aid programs such as PEPFAR, which by itself has saved over 25 million lives.

What’s Next

While Secretary of State Marco Rubio has now issued an emergency humanitarian waiver to allow portions of PEPFAR programs to continue, the waiver is temporary and limited in scope. It does not cover new or future work unless a separate waiver is granted and does not apply to other global health efforts such as cervical cancer screenings. Witness in Society staff are working with advocacy partners to push back against suspension of U.S. foreign assistance.

USAID IMPACTS: Currently, the attempted dissolution of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the government agency overseeing global efforts to improve health and education and decrease poverty and hunger, is having a large impact on global assistance around the world, with broad impacts including to Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH). This includes the inability for humanitarian aid to arrive to intended communities, and grants, contracts and payments already owed to organizations going unpaid or being cancelled. Such payments included funds set to be paid to the AVH, which is run by Lutheran World Federation. The actions impacting USAID started with a stop-work order, halting nearly all USAID programs pending a 90-day review, followed by layoffs and a shutdown of the USAID website, along with an order impacting workers.

Why It Matters in the ELCA

As of this writing, $10 million in payments that were already obligated and set to be paid out in January 2025 to AVH are in limbo. USAID’s payment system is still not working and the process for obtaining a humanitarian waiver is unclear and disorganized. There is no clarity whether this money will ever arrive at the hospital, despite this money being allocated by last year’s 118th Congress to the hospital.

What’s Next

Witness in Society and LWF staff members worked together to submit a humanitarian waiver to the U.S. Department of State in support of unfreezing the $10 million obligation and are working to follow up on that request. Additionally, ELCA advocacy staff will be supporting advocacy efforts by LWF in Washington, D.C. at the end of February in support of future funds for the AVH and the wider East Jerusalem Hospital Network.

IMMIGRATION IMPERATIVES: Well over ten of the Trump administration EOs are directly related to revoking the previous administration’s immigration imperatives or setting new policies and directives. Immediate impacts included from the EO “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” which expands expedited removal nationwide. Expedited removal is a fast-tracked deportation process without, generally, a chance to go before a judge. It mainly applies to more recent newcomers suspected of being undocumented. In recent days, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also revoked the protected areas memo, which restricted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in places like churches, hospitals and schools. Additionally, EOs have threatened various temporary protection programs. Affected parole programs include those for Ukrainians, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, and Central American minors. An extension for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans was also revoked.

Why It Matters in the ELCA

The combined EOs represent an unprecedented expansion of immigration enforcement—beyond what has been attempted before or may even be reasonable and feasible. The ELCA social policy resolution, “Towards Compassionate, Just, and Wise Immigration Reform,” specifies that, “This church advocates for a fair deportation process consistent with American values, for example, the right to appointed legal representation and a hearing before a judge.” Family unity and due process for immigrants remain a concern amid the flurry of actions. As the policies roll out: Lutheran congregations have been forced to cancel worship celebrations as community members express fear; congregations have navigated how to share Know Your Rights information with community members; and Lutheran members and congregations who sponsored refugees, Ukrainians and Venezuelans under the temporary parole programs have expressed concern about the future for those they welcomed.

What’s Next

Before and after the EOs, numerous briefings have taken place with ELCA communities and networks to help others understand the lay of the land and share resources. The ELCA program director for migration policy has shared updates in multiple networks. The ELCA Action Alert on the foreign aid funding freeze also addressed the extremely concerning pause on resettlement aid for recently arrived refugees. ELCA advocacy has also been active on the Hill. The ELCA program director, Latino Ministry, and program director, migration policy, recently met with Republican and Democratic offices to discuss the impact of the EOs and encourage common-sense solutions for the community.

 

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By Solveig Muus, Director, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona 

Lately I’ve been thinking about the many ways our Church intersects across so many different channels, and about how that intentional intersectionality benefits the whole. ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices (sppos), like Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), are one of those channels. I’m privileged to serve on the planning teams for this year’s sppo retreat as well as the ELCA World Hunger Leaders Gathering. In these settings and others, I’ve heard Christians in the ELCA passionate about the ways in which we, as Lutherans, connect people to create possibilities.

Below is just a thimbleful of the happenings in my world that are making connections.

• In Mar. 2024, the Hunger Leaders Networks in ELCA Region 2 (California, Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico) embarked on a year-long journey to plan the 40-40-40 Region 2 Lenten Challenge for 2025, in which the five ELCA synods in Region 2 challenge one another to participate in spiritual and physical practices and to raise funds through Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) for a major water project at the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission (NELM) in Rock Point, Ariz. during the 40 days of Lent. I will be sharing this story in a Collaborative Learning ‘course’ through LDR called “LDR and ELCA World Hunger Intersections: Navajo Lutheran Mission” on Wednesday, March 5 (2:00 EST). Great possibilities in Region 2 – Lutheran Disaster Response – ELCA World Hunger – NELM intersectionality.

• In October 2024, the Rev. Sara Lilja, my sppo colleague at Lutherans Engaging in Advocacy Ministry New Jersey (LEAMNJ), mentioned a New Jersey bill (S-3672) recently introduced called the Immigrant Trust Act that safeguards the privacy of immigrants and limits how their immigration status is shared amid growing anti-immigrant sentiment. Thinking this could be important for Arizona as well, I proposed it to one of our state senators – who agreed and introduced the bill (SB1362) in the Arizona legislature in February. Great possibilities in SPPO – New Jersey – Arizona intersectionality.

• On Feb. 2, Lutherans of all stripes felt the sting of false accusations and misrepresentations of the funding that supports Lutheran organizations across the country, and came together as never before to defend our Lutheran service organizations. Great possibilities in inter-Lutheran intersectionality.

• On Feb. 10, Lutherans gathered at the Arizona Capitol for LAMA’s annual Lutheran Day at the Legislature. Two hundred people enjoyed a rally, legislative appointments, lunch, prayers and introductions from the House and Senate galleries and more. We were joined by 18 members of an United Church of Christ (UCC) church who share our Lutheran values, are passionate about advocacy and wanted to join their voices with ours. What are the possibilities here? Great possibilities in interfaith intersectionality.

• On Feb. 24, I attended the hearing of HB2191, Arizona’s “Yes In God’s Back Yard” (YIGBY) bill in the House Appropriations Committee. This is one of three bills (out of 1,802 introduced this session) that LAMA championed on Lutheran Day. Testimony (including by one of our ELCA Lutheran pastors), reasonable questions, lively discussion, pushback, bluster and exasperation ensued. The bill needs work, but it has bipartisan support. For now. Great possibilities in Bipartisan intersectionality.

I am inspired by the ways we connect with one another; I feel invigorated and challenged. This intersectionality gives me hope for the future of our Church, and reminds me of the importance of every connection we make. When it feels discouraging, or friends and colleagues share frustrations about our inability to affect change, I draw encouragement from our interconnectedness, knowing God is present in this work, the great weaver, making us a tapestry.

ARIZONA | KANSAS | MINNESOTA | NEW MEXICO | PENNSYLVANIA | TEXAS | VIRGINIA  

Following are updates shared from submissions from ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices (sppos) this quarter (formerly shared monthly). Full list and map of sppos available.

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAM-AZ)

Solveig Muus, Director 

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) hosted its 4th annual Lutheran Day at the Legislature on Feb. 10. More than 200 Lutherans and friends representing 29 of Arizona’s 30 legislative districts gathered to hear remarks from Senate President Warren Petersen, House Minority Leader Oscar De los Santos, ELCA Grand Canyon Synod Bishop Deborah Hutterer and others. Following the remarks, participants met with their legislators in support of bills requesting appropriations to support free school lunches for qualifying students; automatic restoration of voting rights for first-time offenders upon final discharge from probation or imprisonment; and “Yes in God’s Backyard (YIGBY),” a bill which eases zoning restrictions for houses of worship and allow them to construct low- and middle-income housing on their properties. Participants met with more than 40 lawmakers, enjoyed breakfast, lunch and fellowship together, wrote letters to their congressional leaders and enjoyed a guided tour of the Capitol. 

The Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders Network is sponsoring its 3rd annual 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge. The 2025 Lenten Challenge supports our church’s call to respond to nonconventional disasters by raising money for Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) and the ELCA’s 70-year old Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission (NELM) water projects in Rock Point Arizona, The five synods in ELCA Region 2 are challenging one another to raise funds through LDR in support of water projects at NELM, where 40% of the homes in the community have no running water. The challenge: Participate in some spiritual and physical practices during the 40 days of Lent. The synod with the most participants wins! 

 

Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA)

Rabbi Moti Rieber, Executive Director 

Rev. Dr. Mandy Todd, Director of Engagement and Development 

2024 Elections Aftermath: Following the 2024 election, Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) will increase our focus on community building and mutual support. Our KIFA leadership put together an opinion piece after the election that says among other things: “The most important thing religious leadership can do at a time like this is continue to hold and articulate our core sacred values – love, inclusiveness, diversity, nonviolence, caring for the least of these, caring for the stranger,” and, “A Mainline church in a small town can serve as a base of resilience (not to say resistance) for people who want to be Christian but not Christian Nationalist. However, the congregation has to consciously lean into that role…” The day after the election KIFA held a multi-faith, online vigil. Attendance in our monthly advocates’ meetings and clergy meetings has increased post-election as well. We plan on increasing opportunities for this type of engagement programming both online and in-person.  

Legislative Priorities: KIFA set and released our 2025 legislative priorities, including protection of public education, defending the rights of LGBTQ+ Kansans, a comprehensive approach to affordable housing and homelessness, voting rights, and support for childhood immunizations. 

Legislative Session: KIFA’s Executive Director Rabbi Moti Rieber and Hunger Advocacy Fellow Sagi Rudnick have been busy during the session, testifying, meeting with legislators, and taking part in lobby days. Bills we have taken a stand on are related to our 2025 legislative priorities including opposition to moves to repeal the affordable housing tax credit.  

Calls to Action: In partnership with allied Kansas advocacy organizations, we have made sure our base has been apprised of calls to action, reaching out to legislators on some of the most egregious bills moving through the legislative process. We will also hold our Advocacy Day on March 10. 

 

Lutheran Advocacy – Minnesota (LA-MN)

Tammy Walhof, Director 

Jacob Summerville, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow 

Main Legislative Issues: 

1. Electronic Waste Recycling – This effort seeks to update the 2007 definition of e-waste to include any device with a cord, battery, or circuit board. (Previous legislation was passed before the first iPhone). It would also provide free drop-off/collection of e-waste statewide and require manufacturers to cover the cost of that collection based on percent of state electronics sales. This spreads the cost very broadly and is already done for other waste such as packaging. 
2. Affordable Housing – As part of the Homes for All Coalition, Lutheran Advocacy-MN continues to work for significant funding for housing production/rehabilitation, safe shelters/transitional housing and Emergency Rental Assistance (to keep people/households from losing current housing). LA-MN is continuing the effort to secure Source of Income Protection to prevent discrimination against those using housing vouchers and defend the gains made in previous years. 

2025 Lenten (Lutheran) Letter Campaign: Lutheran Advocacy-Minnesota (LA-MN) is again doing the Lenten Letter Challenge and adding the Lutheran Letter Campaign (same issues and materials, but different Lent focus). Materials with talking points and sample letters can be found on the Campaigns/Action Alert page on our website. 

Out & About: LA-MN Director Tammy Walhof recently did a presentation on the United Nation’s Conference of Parties COP28 & COP29 climate change conference with Mount Olive Lutheran in Minneapolis. Tammy and Jake hosted a group from Edina Community Lutheran and Redeemer Lutheran (Northern Minneapolis) for an Advocacy Tour of the Capitol, a meeting with Senator Alice Mann, lunch (by Shobi’s Table, a pay-as-you-can cafe), an overview of effective advocacy methods and LA-MN’s 2025 main issues. 

 

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry New Mexico (LAM-NM)

Kurt Rager, Director   

1st Session of the 57th Legislature underway. 

The New Mexico Legislature’s current 60-day session will continue through March 22nd. Almost 900 pieces of legislation have been introduced. Lutheran Advocacy Ministry – New Mexico (LAM-NM) is tracking over 90 bills, actively speaking in support or opposition to those identified as priority legislation through our 2025 Advocacy Agenda.  

LAM-NM Advocacy Agenda highlights:  

Affordable Housing & Homelessness – Support legislation that would appropriate $500 million to increase the construction of affordable housing, and fund programs that assist people experiencing homelessness.  

Family-Sustaining Income – Support legislation that would increase the state’s minimum wage to $17 per hour and legislation to expand eligibility for public assistance programs. 

Healthcare – Support legislation that would expand Medicaid as an option for most New Mexicans. 

Hunger – Support appropriations to support basic food needs for college students, emergency food purchases for state food banks and for additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) supplement funds. 

Good Governance – Support legislation that would create semi-open primaries, expand reporting requirements for lobbyists, and establish a legislative salaries commission. 

Criminal Justice – Support legislation that would update parole board procedures and prohibit private prisons from detaining asylum seekers. 

Care of Creation – Support legislation that would add a “Green Amendment” to the state’s constitution, appropriate funds to reclaim uranium mines and require transparency in chemicals used in fracturing fluids. 

LAM-NM will hold its annual Legislative Issue Briefing and Bishop’s Luncheon on Feb. 20 with more than 100 anticipated attendees from ELCA congregations and other denominations, traveling from across New Mexico to the state’s capitol of Santa Fe.  

 

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Pennsylvania (LAM-Pa)

Tracey DePasquale, Director  

The Pennsylvania General Assembly began its two-year session in January, and Governor Josh Shapiro outlined the administration’s priorities in an annual budget address that reflected many of the priorities adopted by LAMPa’s policy council for 2025-2027.  

While pursuing their goals for the Commonwealth, the administration and legislature, as well as our office, must navigate uncertainty posed by a rapidly changing federal landscape that includes executive orders and legislative proposals hostile to the safety and human dignity of immigrants, members of the LGBTQ+ community and the most economically vulnerable. State and local governments and businesses and nonprofits must contend with threats to already-committed federal funding for projects and services in addition to potential cuts to future funding.  

In response, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Pennsylvania (LAMPa) is working with Pennsylvania synods, ministries and congregations to accompany targeted communities – sharing resources, establishing rapid-response networks and supporting a bold witness for welcome. We are working with coalition partners and government leaders to identify and communicate the ramifications of revenue loss for local communities. Together with Lutheran Disaster Response and ELCA Witness in Society federal staff, we are equipping Lutherans in Pennsylvania to prepare and respond to increased need as well as to advocate for just policies that serve our neighbors.  

Join us and register for the livestream/recording of Hope in a Divided World: A Faithful Response to Christian Nationalism, March 7-8, featuring preaching by ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and presentations by Amanda Tyler of Christians Against Christian Nationalism, and Dr. Lori Brandt Hale of the International Bonhoeffer Society.  

 

Texas Impact 

Scott Atnip, Director  

The Texas Legislature convened in January for a 140-day biennial legislative session. Texas Impact marked the convening of the session by continuing a 50 year tradition with the Celebration of Public Witness on the steps of the Capitol.  

January also included the United Women in Faith Legislative Event with ELCA participants among the 350 United Women in Faith who spent three days in Austin learning about public policy, concluding with meaningful Capitol visits on the final day. Giovana Oaxaca was a star of the second day, giving a timely federal immigration update.  

Texas Impact is organizing advocates through issue teams with great ELCA participation in teams related to public schools, climate action, reproductive policy, ending gun violence, immigration and the Rapid Response Team. Each team is meeting virtually every week during the legislative session.  

Finally, Texas Impact is excited to announce the addition of Rev. Keats Miles-Wallace to the Texas Impact team as a Policy Consultant. Texas Lutherans are particularly excited to have an ELCA pastor on staff, and Pr. Keats is off to a quick start working with the Immigration Team on LGBTQIA+ issues.  

 

Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP)

Kim Bobo, Co-Executive Director  

Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook, Co-Executive Director 

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) is focused on bringing a faith voice to the “short session” (6 weeks) of the Virginia General Assembly. The organization had more than 450 advocates registered for its Day for All People advocacy day in January and brought another 70 students to the General Assembly two weeks later. More than 100 meetings were organized with Delegates and Senators discussing priority issues. 

Although the final outcome of bills will not be known until the governor reviews them and legislators return in April to review the governor’s amendments (or vetoes), it appears that the following bills that VICPP has led on will be sent to the governor: 

• Presumptive eligibility for pregnant women (allowing likely eligible folks to get on Medicaid sooner) 

•  End to youth shackling (in courts). 

• Expanded process for education in prisons. 

• Keeping rural maternity wards open. 

VICPP is still working on sending bills on paid sick days and faith in housing to the Governor. 

After the General Assembly, VICPP will switch its attention to the federal attacks on immigrants and refugees in Virginia.  

 

By Courtney Hall, Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California [ABOUT THE AUTHOR]

In all honesty, I feel I have lost sense of what the phrase “common good” even means today. In a world so divided, what I view as the common good may be the antithesis of my neighbor’s beliefs; so, who decides? Is it those with power, is it a popular vote, is it those with the most influence? As I try to understand how my role as a faith-based advocate contributes to the common good, I am left with more questions than answers.  

It is in times like these, I think, that our faith is most important—not just our faith in a God, but our faith in each other – our faith in our neighbors that despite any differences we may have, we all want the same thing.  

  

STRUGGLES WITH LEGALITY AND MORALITY  

In college, I studied history, so that is often the lens through which I view the world. History can often be cyclical, providing a road map of what is to come based on what has already happened. Today, I believe we find ourselves headed down an all too familiar road, facing an internal struggle of legality and morality opposing each other. Throughout history, there have been many examples of this. Just because something is legal does not mean it is moral. There are, of course, the obvious examples of this, such as the apartheid in South Africa. However, there are also smaller instances that we may not think about day to day. For example, it is illegal to steal; however, is it moral to punish a starving person who is stealing food to survive? Should the legal consequences of such an act be placed on the individual who is suffering or the system that puts them in that situation to begin with?   

Neither train of thought is inherently evil nor corrupt; rather, it is simply a variety of opinions.  In both instances, it would be valid to say that holding the chosen party accountable is for the common good. 

 

GUIDING LIGHT  

I often find myself feeling hopeless and disillusioned with the world around me as if I am a ship lost at sea, surrounded by darkness. The world is overwhelming, and it is easy to feel lost. Our differences and disagreements can often cloud our judgment and make us lose sight of what is truly important.  

And just when I think it is time to give up, I see a faint light off in the distance. This light is my faith, guiding me like a lighthouse guides a ship to safety through the darkness.  

 

INSTEAD OF BLAME 

Faith-based advocates can point to that guiding light when people feel overwhelmed and lost in the world of politics. One of their roles is to help people make sense of the confusion and chaos of all the different policies that are proposed, especially when policies conflict with our values.  

A lot of my work thus far has been focused on the governor’s proposed budget and how we can work to ensure the safety of vital programs that help marginalized communities. Understandably, there are major concerns over the continued support of such programs in the wake of the devastating wildfires in Southern California, which will take up a lot of available resources. Realistically, programs that are important will be cut, and people we know will have to deal with the consequences of those decisions.  

These budget cuts will likely sow further divisions in our communities if we place the blame on each other for an impossible situation. However, it is not your neighbor’s fault if a program they use is saved and a program you use is not. Instead of blaming each other, we need to lean on each other, lean on our shared communities to help those who are struggling.  

 

POINTING TO THE GUIDING LIGHT

Yes, these times of divisiveness raise questions about our futures, however, my work with faith-based advocates has given me hope that as long as we continue to follow that guiding light, we will make it to shore safely. We simply need to keep track of our shared goals, where our actions support a world and humanity created in God’s image, with love, grace and compassion for all who inhabit it.  

 

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Courtney Hall (she/her) began working with the Lutheran Office of Public Policy in California as an ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow in October 2024. Miss Hall is originally from Long Beach, California but lived in South Carolina for the past four years attending Clemson University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History with a double minor in Political Science and Religious Studies.  

Proposed cuts to Medicaid advancing in Congress threaten the wellbeing of millions of vulnerable Americans. We have a critical opportunity to raise our voices and share our values and experiences that shed light on the valuable role Medicaid fills. Proposed cuts would have far-reaching impact, potentially hampering the work of our ministries that serve low-income children, seniors and individuals with disabilities. ELCA social teaching emphasizes both fiscal responsibility and moral obligation (see ELCA social statement Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All). These  principles can work together to strengthen our healthcare system while responsibly stewarding taxpayer resources.  

“We of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have an enduring commitment to work for and support health care for all people as a shared endeavor. Our commitment comes in grateful response to God’s saving love in Jesus Christ that frees us to love and seek the wellbeing of our neighbor.” – ELCA Social Statement Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor.

 

UNDERSTANDING THE PROPOSED CHANGES

Among a menu of cuts that could be introduced in the 119th Congress as soon as this spring, the most concerning proposals include: 

• Converting Medicaid to a block grant system. Under block grants, federal funding would be capped, with states receiving only a fixed amount of federal Medicaid funding, irrespective of states’ actual costs. This would potentially lead to reduced coverage and benefits, increased state taxes, or reduced funding for schools and local services as states search for alternative ways to fund the program.  

• Giving states broader authority to cut benefits and restrict eligibility.

• Expanding existing work requirements for vulnerable populations. 

• Lowering reimbursement rates for targeted groups, such as children and pregnant mothers, triggering immediate cuts to families in nine states and potentially more.  

For detailed analysis of these proposals, we encourage you to review resources from: 

• “Medicaid: An Overview” from the Congressional Research Service  

• “2025 Budget Stakes: Millions Could Lose Health Coverage or See Costs Rise” from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities 

• “Medicaid and Work” from the Kaiser Family Foundation 

• ELCA social statement Caring for Our Health, Our Shared Endeavor  

 

URGENT CONCERN ABOUT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION ACTIVITY

Deeply troubling reports indicate that new Administration officials may be accessing Medicaid databases without proper authorization. This raises serious concerns for individuals and organizations such as Lutheran social ministry service providers, including: 

• Potential freezing of vital funding to states and beneficiaries.  

• Compromise of sensitive beneficiary information. 

• Violation of established procedures for database access and constitutionality. 

• Disruption of healthcare delivery for millions of Americans for whom the support is essential.  

 

OUR ACTIONS AS PEOPLE OF FAITH MATTER

      1. Use the Partner Action Alert to contact your elected official.

Please consider taking action on an advocacy alert from the ELCA’s social ministry partner, Lutheran Services in America (LSA), on the vitality of Medicaid.  

• Go directly to the LSA Advocacy Alert, “Urge Your Lawmakers to Protect Medicaid and Oppose Cuts and Caps,” here, or select it from ELCA.org/advocacy/actioncenter.  

The LSA network reaches one in 50 people in America each year, and it brings the collective power of its national network and strategic partners together in new ways to advance innovation and achieve a healthier, more equitable future for all people in America.  

 

      2. Attend the upcoming ELCA Advocacy webinar, “Understanding Medicaid Cuts: A                        Lutheran Response,” for updates. 

Registration will open soon for a Thu., March 6 webinar with key leaders from the Lutheran community. Watch socials @ELCAadvocacy and our ELCA Advocacy Connections e-news for the link.  

 

      3. Coalition Action Opposing Harmful Medicaid Cuts. 

Our ELCA advocacy team and partners are working together to make our elected officials aware of the impacts of proposed Medicaid cuts. In addition to your letters and local efforts, an opportunity is being organized for your social ministry or congregation to sign together a letter to members of Congress. As details finalize, look for announcements in the ELCA Advocacy Connections e-news. 

 

      4. Directly Connect with your Elected Official 

Consider inviting your member of Congress to your congregation or social ministry to discuss or illustrate the impacts Medicaid will have on your ministries and your community. Guidance in the “Virtual Visits” guide among ELCA resources will help you get prepared. 

 

IMPORTANT TIME TO ACT

In our households, communities and ministries, we know many of us will face serious consequences of changes to federal Medicaid policy. It is an important time to act. Together, we can make a difference in protecting this vital program. 

For more information or assistance with any of these action items, please contact our advocacy team at washingtonoffice@elca.org.  

By Jake Summerville, Lutheran Advocacy – Minnesota [About the Author]

In a time as tense and divided as ours, ideas like a united church working together toward a common good feel more and more idealistic. Our neighbors are hurting, yet barbs of hatred and division wound. How can we expect to take any meaningful action?

The Corinthian church faced a similar problem. As the early church began to grow, theological and ideological differences began to drive wedges into budding Christian communities, threatening to destroy them before they could truly begin. Paul’s letter in 1 Corinthians served as a stern reminder to them that their differences need not divide them, and in fact are parts of God’s creation.

 

 

BRINGING IT ALL TO THE TABLE

We have all been blessed with powerful, meaningful spiritual gifts by the same Spirit. Alone, these gifts can be used to help ourselves, our neighbors and work for the common good. However, changing our and our neighbors’ lives for the better, and actually achieving that common good, requires more than any single one of us can give. We need to work together, not by setting our differences aside, but bringing those differences to the table.

We live in an age where collective good means collective action, and the work of all kinds of spiritual gifts. God’s call to love our neighbor extends to our political lives. Our choice in those that lead us, our opinions on who is deserving of assistance or even basic necessities, and our willingness to stand up to power for the sake of our neighbor are all reflections of our values.

 

 

TRIP TO THE FAMILY CABIN

My uncle is a good man. He is a kind, dedicated, hard worker who would do just about anything for the people he loves. He also holds many views that I not only disagree with but find extremely challenging from someone who I love. Over the years, various members of my family, me included, have tried to talk about these issues with him. This has been largely unproductive and has only made any and all political issues banned topics at family gatherings.

It wasn’t until my fiancé’s first trip to the family cabin that things changed. From inside the cabin, we all watched as my uncle and my fiancé talked animatedly on the deck outside. With bated breath, we waited for the fireworks, and this tension only got worse as we heard the topic of their conversation.

Nearly an hour later, they returned to the group smiling and joking. After the shock wore off, I pulled my fiancé aside and asked how things went. She said that for the first part of their talk, she just asked him questions, made no assumptions, and tried to understand how he had come to his views. By taking the time to listen to his perspective, however strongly she disagreed with him, my fiancé helped him feel heard and seen as someone deserving of dignity and respect.

My uncle’s mind did not change that day, and he is still working through a lot of what he has internalized over the years, but my fiancé set an example for the rest of us and opened up an avenue to talk to one another again. The two of them could not be more different, but she took the time to hear him as a person, not as a political enemy. Though things are still divided among my family, we no longer need to be on the lookout for landmines in our conversations.

 

WORST ACTION IS TO GIVE UP

The news, social media and so many other massive presences in our lives spin lies that we are too far gone. We are told from all sides that we cannot reconcile our differences, and that our country may simply be too divided to fix. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reminds us that this is never the truth. We are divided, yes, but the worst thing we can do is give up on each other.

These issues that push us apart, whether they are political, religious, personal or related to our identities, pale in comparison to what brings us together. In my time working in advocacy, I have stood shoulder to shoulder with people whose skin color, gender, age, sexuality, political party or faith background differs from my own. However, in each of these advocates and those we advocate with, that same Holy Spirit is moving. Beneath all the layers that our society tells us must divide us, there is common ground: We are all beloved children of God.

 

OUR STRENGTH

With this firm foundation to stand on, those things that we have allowed to weaken us, those things that nearly broke the Corinthian church, can be strengths. We can learn from one another, witness each other’s struggles and triumphs, and live in a Christian community that values the Holy Spirit’s presence as we build a society that is diverse, equitable and inclusive.

Advocacy is not a fight against any particular group or political party; to me it is a fight for a better future for all of us. As long as one of us is suffering, there is work to do. I hope that in a media landscape that seems determined to fill our heads with what divides us, we can be encouraged by this passage, our faith journey, and our God that unites us.

 

 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jake Summerville (he/him) is a Hunger Advocacy Fellow with Lutheran Advocacy – Minnesota (LA-MN). Summerville was born and raised in the ELCA with a professional background in youth ministry and direct service work. He has just finished up at Luther Seminary and has been approved for ordination as a deacon in the ELCA. Ask him about his fiancé, his cat, the outdoors or Dungeons and Dragons