Budget Reconciliation Bill: Reckless Spending and Misguided Priorities

Dear Representative:

The so-called Build Back Better Act (BBB) will plunge low-income Americans deeper into government dependency, undermine individual freedom, harm small business owners and individual contractors, substantially increase our national debt, and exacerbate already growing inflation. We urge you to oppose this ill-advised legislation.

Low-income Americans are feeling the pinch of higher prices fueled by inflation, from the gas pump to the grocery store. At a time when employers are seeking to fill millions of open positions, including in the supply chain, this bill inexplicably continues welfare benefits without work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents. 

In August, we marked the 25th anniversary of President Clinton signing bipartisan welfare reform legislation. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (P.L. 104-193) required most welfare recipients to work and limited the amount of welfare people could receive. It provided a pathway out of government dependency — toward employment and independence. 

Following passage of welfare reform, child poverty fell, dependency shrunk, and millions of Americans moved from welfare to the dignity of work. This bill will take us in the opposite direction, setting a path that is destructive to our national culture and economic well-being. It will bring back and dramatically expand the failed welfare policies of the 1990’s that then-Senator Biden opposed.

This budget busting bill will make it untenable for many faith-based providers to participate in the childcare system and increase government control over pre-K education. It will drive up the cost of childcare and redistribute taxpayer dollars to high-income families.

BBB wrongly circumvents the Hyde Amendment, mandating taxpayer-funded abortions. It will encourage higher levels of illegal immigration — creating health and safety hazards at the same time Americans are facing onerous new health care mandates.

Most Americans still believe in freedom and opportunity for all; yet simply put, BBB is nothing more than big government intrusion and expansion that will create more division and hostility in our great country. We urge you to oppose it and chart a better course for America.

Sincerely,

Star Parker – President

Marty Dannenfelser – Director of Governmental Relations

On Tuesday, November 16, CURE hosted a press conference with black leaders and policy experts to detail our objections to BBB. We encourage you to view it on our website.