Breaking News from Congress

JCAers,

Great work everyone. Our letters and calls to members of the Minnesota Congressional delegation made a
difference. We have temporarily convinced the House leadership to pull the Budget Reconciliation Act with
all of its budget cuts from consideration (see below). But its not done and your help is still needed. So keep
calling and writing to Congress and keep up the pressure. We need to prevail on this issue.

Vic

Breaking News
“It is great news that the Reconciliation Bill, with its appalling cuts in food stamps and other programs essential to low-income families, has been pulled for now. It should be dropped totally and permanently.” This statement from FRAC President Jim Weill came just minutes after learning that the House leadership, short of votes to pass the FY 2006 Budget Reconciliation Bill, “pulled” it from consideration this Thursday afternoon. With cuts to food stamps among the issues dividing Republican Members, the development is a testimony to the effectiveness of so many anti-hunger groups, immigrant advocates, state government officials, and other allies that have worked to defeat those cuts.

More work remains to defeat the measure, however. The bill could be brought back to the floor during the week of November 14th. This special edition of the “Update” has background on the outlook, action needed and a “Special Analysis--Talking Points Against Food Stamp Cuts” attached.