Jewish groups are among dozens of religious denominations and organizations endorsing a so-called Faithful Budget in opposition to the Republican budget proposal, which would cut Medicaid spending and disproportionately shift Medicare costs to fixed-income seniors.

Thirty-seven religious denominations and organizations signed on to the Faithful Budget proposal, which was unveiled March 22. It pushes for investment in social safety net programs in order to provide essential needs to the most vulnerable Americans.

“During this time of great need in this country, it is essential that we lift our collective voices to speak to the social and ecological challenges our nation faces,” Rabbi David Saperstein, executive director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, said in a statement. “The Faithful Budget begins that effort.”

The initiative continues an effort that was launched by the religious community last May to advocate on behalf of maintaining a strong commitment to domestic and international poverty assistance programs.

In response to the Republican proposal this week by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), the chairman of the House Budget Comm-ittee, a number of Jewish groups have joined calls to minimize cuts to social safety net programs, including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. — jta