A Pastoral Letter in Response to the "One Big Beautiful Bill"

Dear Beloveds of God:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I write to you today burdened by deep concern, driven by the Gospel and our shared faith to speak on the passage of President Trump’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill.” This legislation, which has been celebrated by some as a triumph of fiscal prudence, is a moral failure that forsakes the most vulnerable among us. As followers of Jesus, we are called to raise our voices when the deeds of our leaders stand in opposition to God’s values of justice, compassion, and care for the least of these.

The prophet Isaiah cautions, “Woe to those who make iniquitous decrees, who write oppressive statues, to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right, to make widows their spoil and to plunder orphans” (Isaiah 10:1-2). This legislation, with its sweeping cuts to healthcare, food assistance, and support for the vulnerable, serves as an example of such inequity. As disciples, it is our baptismal obligation to stand against such policies that inflict harm upon the vulnerable and to advocate for a society that embodies the love and justice of God.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” encompasses substantial reductions to Medicaid, a program that provides health care to tens of millions of low-income Americans, including children, the elderly, and those living with disabilities. These cuts will result in an estimated 15-million people losing health coverage by 2034. Medicaid is not just a program; it is a lifeline for families struggling to access basic medical care. Jesus reminds us of our duty to care for one another, saying, “I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me” (Matthew 25:36).

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) also faces billions in cuts. This program serves countless families and individuals, including elderly, ensuring that they have food. These cuts will deepen hunger and poverty, particularly among children and the elderly. The wisdom of Proverbs reminds us, “Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor” (22:9). It is concerning that this legislation favors tax breaks for the most affluent of our society while neglecting the pressing need to nourish the hungry among us. Our denomination’s social statement on economic life reminds us that “God calls us to seek sufficiency and sustainability for all” and that “poverty is a violation of God’s intention for humanity” (ELCA Social Statement: Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All).

While the legislation cuts essential programs for the poor, it provides $1.1 trillion in tax relief for the wealthiest 1% of America. This is not just fiscally irresponsible—it is morally indefensible. Jesus warns us in Matthew 6.24, “You cannot serve God and wealth.” The Apostle Paul echoes Christ’s teaching, saying, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.” (1 Timothy 6:10). By prioritizing the desires of the wealthy over the needs of the poor, this legislation reveals a dangerous misalignment of values.

We are further called by our social statements to a life “committed to economic justice” and to “advocate for public policies that reduce poverty and hunger and promote economic security for all people” (Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All).

Another troubling element of this bill is the increase in punitive actions towards immigrants and migrants. It designates billions of dollars to resume construction of the border wall and to boost the number of ICE officers, while imposing a $1,000 fee on asylum seekers. These policies dehumanize those seeking refuge from violence and persecution, treating them not as children of God but as threats to be contained.

Scripture is clear about our responsibility to care for the stranger: “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:33-34). The ELCA’s social statement on immigration reminds us that “hospitality for the uprooted and stranger is a central tenet of biblical faith” (ELCA Social Message on Immigration). As Christians, it is our spiritual responsibility to denounce policies that criminalize and exploit migrants; instead we are called to advocate for compassionate and just immigration reform.

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has written powerfully against this legislation, saying, “This bill abandons our nation’s commitment to care for those who are sick or facing financial hardship. It threatens the stability of families and communities by increasing deportation and detention, and it will harm future generations by reversing progress on clean energy and increasing the national debt.” She calls us to respond, “not with despair, but with prayer, advocacy, and action.”

Similarly, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church has urged the Church to be “an engine of resistance, not for the sake of partisanship, but for the sake of the Gospel and the dignity of every human being.” He reminds us that “the Church must stand in the breach, advocating for the outcast, the immigrant, and the poor, even when it is costly, even with it is unpopular.”

As people of faith, we are called to take action by lifting our voices in prayer for those who will endure hardship as a result of this legislation and to advocate for policies that embody God’s vision of justice and compassion. We can also extend our support to ministries that serve the vulnerable, including Peace Lutheran’s food ministry, ELCA World Hunger, and Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service).

Jesus imparts a reality for our lives: “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). This embodies the essence of our faith: to extend love and service to those who are most in need. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” fails to recognize this reality. It places emphasis on material riches rather than the virtue of compassion, elevates authority above the pursuit of justice, and fosters division in place of embracing love.

Beloveds, let us, as a community of faith and as the body of Christ, be steadfast––not in the eyes of the powerful, but in the presence of the One who came to bring good news to the poor, to release the captives, and freedom to the oppressed. May we all have the courage to stand for justice, the compassion to care for the vulnerable, and the faith to trust in God’s promise of a kin(g)dom where all are fed, healed, and welcomed.

In the heart of Jesus,

The Rev. Eric Randolph