| NCC Celebrates Earth Day |
| On April 22, people around the world will observe Earth Day to renew a shared commitment to the sustainability of the planet. Since the first Earth Day observance in 1970, more than one billion people and 190 countries have participated in the global event. As Christians, we understand the importance of being good stewards of the planet God created and entrusted us with. This Earth Day, NCC will participate in the United Church of Christ’s inaugural Earth Day Summit to “lift up, celebrate, and further ministries dedicated to caring for God’s creation.” Creation Justice Ministries released a Sowing Seeds – 2023 Earth Day Sunday Resource, which “provides stories from people committed to caring for our planet through the food system, reflections, sermon starters, prayers, and more to guide you and your congregation in faithful action.” We encourage member communions to join us at UCC’s Earth Day Summit, download Creation Justice Ministries’ Sunday resource, or participate in local Earth Day activities. |
| NCC Opposes Key Federal Program Cuts in Debt Ceiling Legislation |
| The federal debt has increased substantially over the past 20 years, from $5.8 trillion in 2001 to $31.4 trillion in 2023. For months, economists and other experts have urged Congress to raise the debt ceiling to avoid defaulting and triggering a financial crisis should the federal debt exceed the legal limit. This week, House Republicans, led by Speaker Kevin McCarthy (CA), introduced the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023. In a joint statement with members of the House Republican Leadership and Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX), Speaker McCarthy said the bill “will limit federal spending, save taxpayers trillions of dollars, grow our economy, and lift the debt limit into next year.” According to Speaker McCarthy, the legislation will raise the debt limit by 1.5 trillion and lower federal spending by $4.5 trillion over 10 years. Amongst other things, the proposal will nullify nearly $400 billion in federal student loan debt relief and limit the Secretary of Education’s authority to propose or issue new regulations and executive actions, repeal several clean energy and energy efficiency tax incentives, and impose stricter work requirements on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries, raising the working age limit from 50 to 56 years old. The NCC strongly opposes the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 and any legislation that makes significant cuts to the programs that ensure Americans—especially the most vulnerable in our society—have clean air to breathe, economic opportunity, and food security. |
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