Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty should support Build Back Better budget on principle | Opinion
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
As Tennessee pastors we implore Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty to vote to pass the Build Back Better Act, as it reflects many of our core Christian values.
The policies put forth in the Build Back Better plan declare that every one of us is created in the image of God and has immeasurable worth, and provides us all the freedom to thrive.
One of the main components in this package is an investment in universal Pre-K and community college.
As faith leaders, we believe that no matter where they live or the color of their skin, all children deserve a high quality education that allows them the freedom to build a strong future.
We know that Jesus prioritizes and cherishes children, as he said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
But unfortunately, the United States, and specifically Tennessee, lags behind other countries in funding and providing quality education.
Hear more Tennessee Voices: Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns.
Invest in children and their parents
If we want America’s children to thrive, we owe it to them to provide them with the best education possible.
Investing in community college and universal preschool is a not only an investment in our children and the future of our country, but data indicate that for every dollar we spend in early childhood education as a society we will see $7.30 in benefits , including a greater chance that students graduate from high school and college, earn higher w ages wages, have better health, and less of a likelihood of becoming involved in crime.
In order to build strong families we cannot merely invest in education for our children; we must invest in the well-being of their parents and families as well.
The Build Back Better Plan extends the current and expanded child tax credit that cuts child poverty nearly in half across the country, and provides family and medical leave to give all workers the freedom to take time to bond with a new child, care for a seriously ill loved one, find safety from assault or violence, heal from illness, or take time to grieve the death of a loved one.
Sign up for Latino Tennessee Voices newsletter: Read compelling stories for and with the Latino community in Tennessee.
Sign up for Black Tennessee Voices newsletter: Read compelling columns by Black writers from across Tennessee.
Your state. Your stories. Support more reporting like this.
A subscription gives you unlimited access to stories across Tennessee that make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you. Click here to become a subscriber.
U.S. policies push people into poverty
Currently, the United States is one of the few countries that does not have paid family leave as part of a national policy.
One in four employed women return to work within two weeks of giving birth, and 95% of women in low income jobs do not have paid maternity leave as part of their job .
This data is an indictment of our lack of family values. If women cannot spend appropriate time to bond with and care for their babies but must return to work too soon to pay the bills, we are not setting up our families to thrive, and are pushing both women and children into poverty across the country. Currently, only 19% of Americans have paid family leave through their employers, yet over 71% of voters support a paid medical/family leave.
It’s time our senators support legislation that the people support over the lobbyists that fund their campaigns. Jesus teaches us to advocate for the vulnerable and the forgotten - to bring good news to the poor - not just with words, but with action.
The resources exist for us to make these investments. It’s now a question of having the moral courage to make this a reality for Tennesseans, and indeed, all Americans.
By improving public health, protecting God's creation, and prioritizing those who are economically disadvantaged, this plan will help create an equitable economy that improves the lives and well-being of us all.
And we urge you, Senators Blackburn and Hagerty, to not only support it, but to champion it.
Signatories:
Rev. Dr. C. Don Jones, Pastor, The United Methodist Church
The Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Barker, Episcopal Priest
The Rev Gordon H. Myers, Retired Clergy, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rev. Dr. Donna Krupkin Whitney, Pastoral Assistant, Metropolitan Interdenominational Church
Rev. Dr. James A. Dougherty, Retired Clergy, The United Methodist Church
The Rev. Christopher A. Smith, Pastor, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA), Nashville
Rev. Brandon L. Gilvin, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Chattanooga
Rev. Dr. Lillian H. Lammers, Associate Pastor, First Congregational Church of Memphis
Rev. Elizabeth H. Doolin, Pastor, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rev. Brandon Berg, Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Bristol
Rev. Ingrid McIntyre, Pastor, Glencliff UMC and Belmont UMC, Nashville
Rev. R. Calvin Kimbrough Jr
Rev. Nelia J Kimbrough Rev John M. Feldhacker, Edgehill United Methodist Church, Nashville
Rev. Dr. Kevin Riggs, Franklin Community Church Rev. Paul Purdue, Sr. Pastor at Belmont United Methodist Church
Rev. Dawn Bennett, Pastor Developer, The Table, Nashville
Rev. Matt Steinhauer, Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon
Rev. William M.Vaughan III, retired clergy, United Methodist Church
Joe T.Porter, retired priest, Episcopal Church, Diocese of West Tennessee
Pastor Morgan Gordy, ELCA Southeastern Synod
Rev. David E. McIntyre, Retired UMC Clergy
Rev. Valerie Ohle, United Methodist Church
Rev. Barbara Clark, Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Gatlinburg, TN
Rev. Stacey Harwell-Dye, Pastor of Missions and Outreach West End UMC
Rev. Kate Fields, Pastor, Belmont United Methodist Church, Nashville
Rev. James Cole, Pastor, Antioch United Methodist Church
Rev. Laura Becker, Pastor, Northminster Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga
Rev. Dr. George E. Odle, Retired United Methodist Clergy
Rev. Ann Owens Brunger, Presbytery of East Tennessee, PCUSA
Rev. Brandon Baxter, Pastor of Spiritual Formation, West End UMC
Rev. Elizabeth Carpenter Episcopal Deacon
Rev. Regina Girten, Pastor of Outreach at Providence United Methodist Church Mt. Juliet, TN
Rev. David Goodpaster, Episcopal Priest w/ Southeastern Tennessee Episcopal Missions
Rev. Darren Wright, Pastor of Youth and Young Adults, Belmont United Methodist Church
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee's Blackburn, Hagerty should support Build Back Better budget