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September 14, 2023

Dear Member of Congress,

On behalf of more than one million MomsRising members across the country, we urge you to oppose cuts to key programs that families, businesses, and the economy rely on, as well as to oppose poison pill riders in all Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 appropriations bills. The U.S. budget is a reflection of the country’s priorities and values. Harmful riders that threaten access to reproductive care, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant rights, or efforts to strengthen diversity do not reflect our family values or what our economy needs. Slashing funds for education, child care, maternal health, and nutrition programs hinders businesses and leaves families behind, making it harder for hardworking people to make ends meet. 

In fact, in light of the child care cliff occuring at the end of September due to ARPA funds ending, MomsRising has joined with 1,000 organizations in calling for $16 billion in emergency child care funding through any budget vehicle to preserve child care for millions of children. 

Investing in American families should be the top priority of an appropriations process that aims to help our economy. In addition to addressing the child care cliff, investments in American families looks like appropriating:

  • $8.7 billion (a $700 million increase over FY2023) investment in the Child Care Development Block Grant. At least $12.2 billion for Head Start, which matches the Senate’s proposed funding levels. A proposed cut in the House version of the bill would remove 80,000 kids’ access to this critical program.
  • $7.3 billion (or whatever amount is required) to fully fund WIC, serve the projected caseload, and prevent waitlists or cuts to the program. 
  • Necessary investments in maternal health and maternal mental health programs to safeguard the advancements made in recent years.

Proposed House appropriations bills attack critical investments that support our families. The legislation cuts key programs by 30%, doubles down on the disinvestments of the Budget Control Act, and pursues $115 billion in rescissions of the Inflation Reduction Act. House appropriations bills also include a $67 billion rescission of IRS funding, debilitating the agency’s ability to go after wealthy tax cheats. By curtailing access to early childhood education, defunding worker’s rights enforcement, and restricting Medicaid coverage for millions of Americans while allowing billionaires to dodge their taxes, Congress is leaving American mothers, families, and businesses behind.

Earlier this year, Congress passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, a bipartisan agreement that averted default and outlined shared spending targets for the FY 2024 appropriations process. Now, some Members of Congress are reneging on that agreement and slashing vital programs by as much as $188 billion.

To make matters worse, Congress has included harmful provisions to our economy and families in nearly every appropriations bill, including: banning diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; prohibiting gender-affirming care; “license to discriminate” riders; and restricting abortion-care access. Introduction of “culture-war” issues into the appropriations process is not germane, invites discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community and encroaches upon women’s rights. 

MomsRising urges you to reject cuts to key programs and any amendment or poison pill riders in FY2024 appropriations bills that would harm American families and economy.

Sincerely,

Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director/CEO & Co-Founder
Donna Norton, Executive Vice President
Elyssa Schmier, Vice President, Government Relations and National Budget
Lauren Hipp, National Director, Early Learning & Washington State 
Nina Perez, National Director, Early Learning
Tina Sherman, Senior Campaign Director, Maternal Justice