By Danny Hall, Lead Capitol Hill Representative & Faith Community Outreach Coordinator for Back from the Brink
“This is not about coming together to simply feel good. We come to cry—not just cry out, but to mourn and to act.”
— Bishop William J. Barber, II, President & Senior Lecturer of Repairers of the Breach
On Monday, April 28, 2025, at 11:00 AM, Back from the Brink proudly stood in solidarity at Moral Monday at the Capitol, held at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. This impactful gathering brought together clergy, faith leaders, advocates, and individuals of conscience to challenge federal budget proposals that harm vulnerable communities and deepen inequities.
The event highlighted growing concerns about the current budget proposals in Congress, which prioritize tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans while slashing essential services for those in need. The proposed $4.5 trillion in tax cuts would overwhelmingly benefit billionaires and large corporations, leaving working families to shoulder higher taxes and reduced access to vital programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and affordable housing. These policies threaten to widen the gap between the rich and the poor, undermining the economic security of millions.
“This budget would risk hunger for 40 million recipients,” said Bishop Barber. This stark reminder of budgetary impact transcends race, ethnicity, and background. This is not about 40 million Black, white, Latino, Asian, or Native people—it is about 40 million people. Policies like these create hunger and harm for millions, amplifying the urgent need to act. Moral Monday is about ensuring that dissent and resistance are grounded in facts, not personal vendettas. As emphasized, this is not about personalities—it is about policies.
“Median pay at Amazon was about $37,000 last year—employees living paycheck to paycheck, with 72% having nothing in their 401k plans,” said Sarah Anderson, Director of the Global Economy Project at the Institute for Policy Studies, who delivered a powerful address on economic inequality during the event. Anderson highlighted systemic exploitation within low-wage industries, particularly Amazon, using the experiences of warehouse worker Wendy Taylor. Reading Taylor’s statement, Anderson shared: “My husband and I wait in line for hours at the food pantry every Monday while Amazon’s executives make millions off our labor… We deserve to retire with dignity, but I have zero savings, while the people whose wealth I’m creating have more than they could ever need. Enough is enough.” Taylor’s words painted a vivid picture of the disparities plaguing America’s workforce and the corporate practices that prioritize profit over people.
“Politicians in power are shredding our social safety net in the name of so-called efficiency,” said Sabrina Valenti, a former budget analyst at NOAA. Valenti described how her dismissal left vital infrastructure projects unsupported: “My work on coastal wetland restoration was vital for protecting vulnerable Louisianans—among the poorest in the country—from devastating storms. Without a budget analyst, life-saving infrastructure funded by taxpayers cannot be built. These trade-offs are immoral.”
“Budgets are moral documents,” said Bishop Barber, underscoring the findings of The High Moral Stake: Our Budget, Our Future, a report published by Repairers of the Breach, the Institute for Policy Studies, and the Economic Policy Institute. This report exposes the dangerous budget cuts proposed by the Trump-Vance administration and Congress, and highlights their devastating impact on vulnerable communities.
Delivering Truth to Power
Organizers made sure that the power of this report reached every corner of Capitol Hill. After the event, copies of The High Moral Stake: Our Budget, Our Future were delivered to every member of Congress, along with a call to action rooted in justice and equity. Fact sheets were hand-delivered to Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader Jeffries, ensuring that leadership could not claim ignorance of the human cost of their decisions. All 535 members of Congress also received the report via email, amplifying the push for moral and accountable governance.
Connecting the Cause to Nuclear Weapon Spending
Back from the Brink’s presence at Moral Monday reflects its commitment to addressing systemic injustices perpetuated by misplaced budget priorities. The CBO’s new estimate of $946 billion for nuclear forces over the next decade exemplifies the harmful trade-offs that divert resources from essential needs like healthcare, education, and housing. This represents a 25% increase—$190 billion more—than the previous 10-year estimate. These funds could instead be used to uplift communities, reduce poverty, and ensure equitable access to basic human rights.
House Resolution 317 and Budget Priorities
House Resolution 317 (H. Res. 317), introduced by Representatives McGovern and Tokuda, calls for the United States to lead global efforts to halt and reverse the nuclear arms race. The resolution emphasizes the need to redirect resources from nuclear weapons spending toward addressing urgent societal needs, such as healthcare, education, and housing. By advocating for disarmament and justice for communities impacted by nuclear weapons production and testing, H. Res. 317 highlights the moral imperative of aligning budget priorities with human well-being and equity. This resolution serves as a powerful reminder that budgets are not just financial documents—they are reflections of national values and commitments.
“Anything you do, do it with dignity. Sometimes your role is simply to be a witness,” said Barber, emphasizing the importance of nonviolent action and moral choices. Whether delivering fact sheets to Congressional leaders or standing in solidarity with those making sacrifices, every action is rooted in dignity and purpose.
“It took the rejected to change America,” Barber continued, pointing to history as a reminder that marginalized communities often lead transformative movements. Moral Monday calls on the rejected to rise, to stand in the gap, and to demand justice.
Looking Ahead
Moral Monday at the Capitol is just the beginning. The movement continues on the first Monday of May and June, ensuring sustained pressure and collective action. Back from the Brink remains steadfast in its mission to advocate for justice and redirect resources toward building a society that values dignity, equity, and hope.
The time for action is now.
*Faith in Action: Moral Courage for a Nuclear-Free Future
Faith traditions have long stood at the forefront of movements for peace, justice, and the sanctity of life. In this blog series, “Faith in Action: Moral Courage for a Nuclear-Free Future” we explore how people of faith are responding to the moral and existential crisis posed by nuclear weapons. Through reflections, event recaps, and contributions from our interfaith partners, this series offers a space for spiritual voices calling for disarmament—and a reminder that confronting the threat of nuclear annihilation is not just a political issue, but a deeply human and moral one.
While Back from the Brink is a secular campaign, we are proud to stand in solidarity with faith-based partners who see nuclear abolition as both a spiritual imperative and a call to justice. Together, we bear witness—and take action—for a future free from nuclear weapons.
If you’re part of a faith group that’s interested in getting involved with Back from the Brink, you can reach out to Danny Hall at danny@preventnuclearwar.org.
