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Defend Climate Solutions in FY 2025 Budget




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Right now, the fiscal year 2025 federal budget is being hashed out by Congress using a legislative process called budget reconciliation. Both Senate and House versions of the reconciliation make deep funding cuts in programs that protect people from polluted air and water, slow climate change by accelerating renewable energy, and lift up communities burdened by environmental injustices.  Contact your Members of Congress to urge them to reject devastating funding cuts and defend bedrock environmental protections and climate solutions in the FY2025 budget reconciliation process.


Background

The federal budget lays out the spending and the revenues of the U.S. federal government. Budget reconciliation allows the majority party, currently Republicans, to pass legislation that affects the federal budget (taxes and spending) with a simple majority, avoiding the 60-vote minimum normally needed to overcome a filibuster in the Senate. The reconciliation process eliminates the need for bipartisan support for a budget.

Both Houses of Congress are using the budget reconciliation process to strip important climate programs and agencies, threatening the country’s ability to meet climate and environmental justice goals. For instance, the House budget would permanently cut billions of dollars in climate funding and programs allocated in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) such as clean energy tax credits and energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.  The House budget would also cut funding for the EPA by 20% and eliminate all funding for environmental justice programs.


Why Now

The House and Senate must resolve differences between their budgets to keep the process moving forward. House Speaker Johnson wants to present the finished product for the President’s signature by May. Now is the time to tell our Members of Congress to reject the proposed funding cuts to climate and environmental protections in the federal budget.


Jewish Perspectives

“If there is a needy person among you… do not harden your heart and shut your hand against your kin.” (Deuteronomy 15:7)

Recently, we read in the Torah about how our ancestors "borrowed" treasures from their Egyptian oppressors as they left Egypt—an ancient form of reparations. But this wealth was not meant for personal gain; it was part of God's plan to uplift those resources for a sacred purpose: building the Mishkan, a dwelling place for the Divine and a center for communal worship. (Likutai Halachot Purim 6:9) Yet today, we see hardened hearts not only toward the needy across the globe but also toward the civil servants who dedicate their lives to serving all American residents. 

The Talmudic sage Rabbi Ilai (BT Eruvin 65b) teaches that a person's character is revealed through three things: how they handle their drinking (as seen on Purim), how they express anger, and how they spend their money. On that last point, President Joseph R. Biden put it plainly: "Don't tell me what you value—show me your budget, and I'll tell you what you value."


Learn More

Policy Basics: Introduction to the Federal Budget Process, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

https://www.crfb.org/papers/reconciliation-101, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget


Sample Message to Your Member of Congress

I urge you to defend climate solutions in the FY2025 budget.

As a citizen who pays taxes, I want my money to be used to fund programs that address the root causes and impacts of climate change. This is a priority for me because explain why you care….

As a Jew, my faith teaches me that a person’s character is determined in part by how they spend their money. Budgets reveal our values. I feel it is imperative that we contribute to national efforts to protect people and heal the Earth.  Or insert your own personal Jewish connection.

I urge you to reject devastating funding cuts and defend bedrock environmental protections and climate solutions that reflect our values in the FY2025 budget.


How to Contact Your Members of Congress

Find your Members of Congress at https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

Call the Capitol switchboard (202) 224-3121 to reach your Member of Congress’ office.

Online: Find your Members’ websites and look for the “Contact” page to submit a message. For a Senator’s website, search lastname.senate.gov. For a Representative’s website, search lastname.house.gov.

 
 
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