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On June 10, hundreds of clergy, faith leaders, and congregants gathered on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. to urge senators to protect Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs crucial for low-income individuals and families. This gathering was part of the "Pentecost Witness for a Moral Budget" rally.
The rally was organized in response to concerns over the provisions in the reconciliation bill that redirect funding from Medicaid and SNAP to immigration enforcement and tax cuts for the wealthy. The bill, referred to as “One Big Beautiful Bill,” is currently under consideration by the U.S. Senate after being passed by the House in May.
Allison Smith, a pastor from Maine's UCC Congregational Church, expressed her concerns: “I traveled almost 700 miles from rural Maine to Washington, D.C. to take part in the Pentecost Witness for a Moral Budget because families in my church and all over Maine will suffer if Trump’s budget passes.” She highlighted that 345,000 residents of Maine receive health coverage through Medicaid.
Ethan Vesely-Flad from Asheville, North Carolina also shared his motivation: “I drove 1,000 miles roundtrip from my home... sparked by my outrage at the proposed decimation of our social safety net.”
The event began with a vigil where faith leaders read scripture and emphasized how the reconciliation bill contradicts shared faith values. Rev. Shari Prestemon quoted Amos 5: “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!”
Participants then moved to the Senate steps where they were joined by Senators Cory Booker, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Amy Klobuchar, Raphael Warnock, Chuck Schumer, and Chris Coons. Many attendees met with their senators later that day to discuss their concerns about the bill.
Abigail Cipparone from the UCC Office of Public Policy noted: “Our UCC Faith leaders met with key Republican Senators whose states would be most adversely impacted... At a time when so many communities are struggling... putting their faith to work for the common good.”
Rev. Michael Neuroth described the rally as filled with "a Pentecost Spirit" not seen before in D.C., highlighting that Christian leaders spoke against what he called an "immoral bill."
The event was livestreamed and is available for viewing online.
