WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) expressed her appreciation today for the Catholic Sisters who are stopping in Cleveland today as part of their nine-state, "Nuns on the Bus" tour. The sisters seek to increase awareness about the devastating impact the 2013 House budget will have on our nation's most vulnerable citizens.

"I am thankful that the sisters are calling attention to the need for economic justice. Their compassion and genuine concern for the poor transcends partisan politics. In their commitment to advocate for the neediest among us, they understand quite well that cuts to social programs as proposed by Republican Budget Chairman Paul Ryan will cause needless suffering to millions of Americans, including many children and seniors in my district," said Congresswoman Fudge.

The Congresswoman said the nuns correctly point out that the proposed federal budget cuts which equal $72.6 million out of Ohio's Head Start budget over two years, kick more than 10-thousand pre-school children from the program in that time and will result in the loss of 3,300 jobs. On a national level, the budget slashes funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) by more than $130 billion over 10 years. "Catholic sisters have always been on the front line serving the needs of the sick, the poor and the needy in our community and for that, we can all be grateful. I wish the Nuns on the Bus well as they complete this journey and continue their work being a voice for the voiceless."

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