Public health, truth, justice, and democracy are not optional—they are responsibilities we share as a nation and as people of faith. Every person deserves protection, every institution must serve the common good, and every policy should uphold human dignity.
What You Need to Know
In recent weeks, the Trump Administration has escalated efforts to consolidate political control over independent institutions. Trusted public servants have been pushed out—Erika McEntarfer at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Susan Monarez at the CDC, and an unprecedented move to oust Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
President Trump has also announced a “Historic Pocket Rescission Package,” canceling nearly $5 billion in foreign aid. This maneuver sidesteps congressional authority and violates the Constitution’s clear assignment of spending authority to the legislative branch.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it is winding down its mRNA vaccine development under BARDA for upper respiratory illnesses like influenza and COVID-19, ending 22 projects worth nearly $500 million. While HHS has approved new COVID-19 vaccines, access is restricted to older adults and those with certain health conditions, leaving millions without protection. This shift raises concerns about slowing next-generation vaccine innovation, continuity of pandemic preparedness, and equitable access to effective vaccines. Public health is not a privilege for the few; it is a responsibility we all share.
The Department of Education has proposed changes to Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) that could exclude entire categories of nonprofit employers, including advocacy organizations and faith-based groups. Coupled with legislation such as H.R. 9495, which would allow the treasury secretary to strip nonprofits of their tax-exempt status without evidence or due process, these measures threaten the independence of civil society and religious entities.
Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) has introduced two pieces of legislation to allow the president to take direct control of Washington, D.C.’s police force for up to 180 days. These measures would strip residents of their right to self-governance and set a dangerous precedent for federal overreach. Additional proposals are circulating in Congress, and there is speculation that lawmakers may act on this issue as soon as this week.
The Administration’s newly released America’s AI Action Plan sets forth more than 90 steps to advance U.S. global dominance in artificial intelligence. While innovation and workforce development are emphasized, little attention is given to the moral questions of transparency, accountability, and human dignity.
As Congress reconvenes, appropriations and Trump Administration nominations dominate the agenda. With government funding set to expire on September 30, lawmakers must act to prevent a shutdown that could jeopardize essential services. The House is currently considering the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Meanwhile, the President is attempting to bypass Congress with pocket rescissions—a maneuver the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has deemed illegal. This tactic undermines the Constitution, erodes the separation of powers, and weakens congressional authority, threatening the stability of programs that families and communities depend on every day. The move has drawn bipartisan criticism, including from Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-ME), who emphasized that only Congress holds the power of the purse.
This is a critical moment to protect our nation’s ideals of justice, fairness, and democracy. Members of Congress must hear decisively from member communions that we expect a budget and policies that protect the vulnerable, strengthen our institutions, and uphold the common good.
What This Means
Taken together, these actions represent a troubling pattern:
The silencing of truth-tellers in government and their replacement with partisan loyalists—such as Heritage Foundation economist and Project 2025 contributor E.J. Antoni, Trump’s nominee to head the Bureau of Labor Statistics—undermines agencies designed to serve the common good and erodes trust in data, science, and economic stability.
Restricting vaccine access puts millions of Americans at risk and disregards our moral responsibility to protect everyone in the community.
Pocket rescissions dismantle the checks and balances at the heart of democracy.
PSLF changes and H.R. 9495 threaten nonprofits—including ministries that serve the poor and marginalized.
Federal control of D.C. policing erodes local democracy and self-determination.
A vision for artificial intelligence driven only by deregulation and competition risks technology divorced from justice and human dignity.
As Christians, we know these are not just political decisions—they are moral ones. They reveal whether our nation will value truth over power, community over control, and justice over expedience.
What We’re Doing
The National Council of Churches is:
Bearing public witness against the politicization of agencies meant to serve the common good.
Calling for sustained investments in science-based research and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all people, not just a select few.
Defending the constitutional role of Congress in overseeing federal spending.
Advocating for sustained funding for critical safety net programs in the appropriations process.
Mobilizing member communions and partners to oppose harmful PSLF changes and reject H.R. 9495.
Standing with D.C. residents to protect local self-determination.
Monitoring artificial intelligence policies to ensure that innovation serves the common good rather than corporate or partisan interests, while also convening national faith organizations to take a coordinated stand on this critical issue.
What You Can Do
Submit public comments opposing the PSLF rule and urge Congress to reject H.R. 9495.
Contact your representatives to demand equitable vaccine access for all.
Preach, teach, and share about the moral crisis of politicized institutions.
Use social media and community networks to amplify the call for justice and democracy.
Engage your lawmakers directly—through visits, meetings, or town halls—reminding them that faith communities are watching.
Make Your Voice Heard!
Take the NCC August Recess Advocacy Impact Survey
Be on the lookout later this week for our NCC August Recess Advocacy Impact Survey. Your input will help us measure our collective impact, strengthen our advocacy, and guide our work together.
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