Big, Beautiful, Bill,

Dear Senator Slotkin and Senator Peters

Pace e Bene! Peace and All Good. As a secular (lay) Franciscan, I write with deep concern regarding the proposed “big, beautiful bill.” My faith compels me to advocate for policies that uphold the dignity of every human person, especially the most vulnerable, protect our common home, and safeguard the constitutional norms and protections ensuring the right of all to participate fully in our government.

This bill, with its tax cuts skewed to the wealthy, coupled with deep cuts to essential social safety nets like Medicaid and SNAP, directly contradicts the Catholic Social Teaching principle of the “Preferential Option for the Poor.” It prioritizes wealth accumulation for the privileged while jeopardizing the basic needs of millions. Furthermore, the bill’s push for deregulation and eliminating clean energy tax credits disregards our responsibility to care for God’s creation, a core tenet of Franciscan spirituality as articulated in Laudato Si’.

Beyond these concerns, I also urge you to consider the importance of upholding the constitutional norms and protections that enable all citizens to participate fully in our government. Any changes that might undermine these rights, making it more difficult for individuals to have their voices heard and their votes counted, would be deeply troubling.

While I understand the desire for fiscal responsibility and reduced government, I implore you to consider these policies’ moral and civic implications. Subsidiarity should not be used to justify dismantling essential governmental functions that serve the common good and protect the vulnerable. We must ensure that our economic policies serve people, not the other way around, and that the foundations of our democracy, which allow for the participation of all, remain strong and accessible.

As a follower of St. Francis, I am called to live simply, to stand in solidarity with the marginalized, and to be a herald of peace. I implore you to reconsider the proposed bill and to support legislation that reflects a commitment to justice, compassion, the well-being of all creation, and the fundamental right of every person to participate in shaping our common life.

I urge you to consider the following:

• Protect and strengthen social safety net programs: Safeguard programs like Medicaid and SNAP are vital for the survival of the most vulnerable.
• Embrace integral ecology: Prioritize policies that protect our environment and promote sustainable living, recognizing the interconnectedness of all creation.
• Ensure equitable distribution of resources: Support tax policies that do not exacerbate existing inequalities.
• Uphold the common good: Remember to serve all constituents, especially those in need.
• Protect participatory rights: Ensure that all citizens can participate fully and freely in our government.

I pray that you will act with wisdom and compassion, guided by a commitment to justice, peace, and the fundamental principles of our democracy.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Carsten OFS