Washington, DC — For millions of Americans, Sundays are a day of faith, spirituality and moral reflection. In that spirit, today, just before sunrise, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Cory Booker sat down on the steps of the US Capitol and began an urgent, live-streamed conversation with the American people to focus on our common values, our faith traditions and the moral moment facing our nation.

With Congress returning to session tomorrow, Republican leaders have made clear their intention to use the coming weeks to advance a reckless budget scheme to President Trump’s desk that seeks to gut Medicaid, food assistance and basic needs programs that help people, all to give tax breaks to billionaires. Given what’s at stake, these could be some of the most consequential weeks for seniors, kids and families in generations.

During the action, Senator Booker and Leader Jeffries will speak to our shared American values and our nation’s religious and moral underpinnings, and how the budget bill is antithetical to these beliefs. They will also affirm to Americans that their voices not only matter, but are needed, in this moment in order to stop these harmful cuts.

“Budgets are more than just numbers in a spreadsheet—they are moral documents,” Booker said. “They reveal what we value, who we protect, and what we stand for. That’s why I’m here today: to sit in at a sacred civic space, to make clear the moral and practical stakes of the Trump budget proposal, and to call others to action. 

Booker continued, “Republicans in Congress are proposing cuts that will take food from children, healthcare from the sick, and dignity from those already struggling. It’s wrong. To stop it, we all must say so—clearly, courageously, and together. Speaking out and speaking up is how we will convince four Republicans in the House and Senate to do the right thing and vote no.”

“Republicans are crashing the economy, undermining American values, assaulting our democracy and driving us toward a recession. Now, they want to jam a reckless budget down the throats of the American people that will end Medicaid as we know it and rip food from the mouths of children, seniors and veterans. Enough. This is not America,” said Leader Jeffries. “We will continue to show up, speak up and stand up until we end this national nightmare.”

The conversation is being live-streamed on multiple platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube.

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