As the United States Congress has returned from recess, the House and Senate have until December 20th to come to an agreement on the 2025 fiscal year (FY) budget.

The continuing resolution that passed in September means that funding for all 12 annual spending bills is extended until December 20th. Congress will have to take the next 6 weeks to complete its work to determine funding levels for the coming fiscal year. The House has only passed five of the 12 spending bills while the Senate has passed 11 of the 12 bills out of committee — meaning there is much work still to be done.

As these negotiations happen, we must show up as United Methodists to demand our leaders prioritize the action of grace over the selfish abuse of greed and protect the collective needs of our communities. As people of faith, we must use our voices to ensure our priorities are reflected across all five of Church and Society’s legislative priorities of health, poverty, peace, climate, and civil and human rights.

We still have time to influence these key priority areas. Before the December 20th budget deadline, you can take action with our updated action alerts below.

Take Action Now

Take action and urge that your elected official prioritize grace over greed.

Health

Tell Congress to Prioritize Healthcare As A Basic Human Right 

God has called us to an abundant life. Our charge, as people of faith, is to pursue it. As United Methodists, we continue to affirm that equitable, comprehensive, and quality healthcare is a basic human right (2016 Social Principles, The Social Community). Currently, of the remaining bills that have not yet been passed by the U.S House of Representatives, there are two that pose grave threat to access to healthcare.

Poverty

Tell Congress to Prioritize Social Safety Programs in FY 2025 Appropriations 

As United Methodists, we recognize the responsibility of governments to develop and implement sound fiscal and monetary policies that provide for the flourishing of our communities (2016 The Social Principles, The Economic Community). As the United States Congress seeks to negotiate the fiscal year 2025 federal budget, we must ensure that critical social safety programs are protected.

Peace

Tell Congress to Prioritize True Human Security in FY 2025 Appropriations 

On peace with justice issues, the appropriations process has included effectively no oversight or debate over billions of dollars of weapons and defense services, including nuclear weapons and unfettered aid to countries committing human rights violations. The process has glaringly omitted debate on issues such as cutting the Pentagon budget, reigning in the President’s war powers, prohibiting security assistance to countries that violate human rights, oversight of nuclear forces, and much more.

Climate

Tell Congress to Advance Climate Policies That Reflect a Vision of Justice for God’s People and God’s Planet

A UMC delegation will travel to Baku, Azerbaijan for the 29th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations, also called COP29, in November. The delegation will provide a ministry of presence, bearing witness to our call to love our neighbor and to serve as stewards of God’s creation. They will also advocate for faithful climate policy including a robust commitment to climate finance, a just transition away from fossil fuels, and support for those experiencing devastating climate impacts around the world.

Civil and Human Rights

Tell Congress to Stop Anti-Asylum and Anti-Immigrant Negotiations in Congress and Biden Administration  

The United States asylum system is under attack. For too long, we have watched the erosion of a staple component of our immigration system. Since the former administration, there has been an intentional and debilitating movement to strike down access for asylum seekers to the U.S. This has caused devastating effects among both people and processes.