As Democratic Leader, I’ve made outreach to the faith community a top priority and have had the great privilege of meeting with leaders of many faiths. I’ve talked with Protestant ministers about the immorality of a budget that cuts programs for the neediest among us while rewarding those with the most. I’ve discussed immigration and poverty with Catholic Bishops, and I’ve met with Jewish leaders to discuss ways we can help hardworking families across this country.

My discussions have only reinforced the belief that the Democratic Party and people of all faiths share many values and goals, and I intend to continue my outreach in the months ahead. As part of this effort, it is my honor to introduce you to this website – A Word to the Faithful. It’s dedicated to illustrating how people of faith and Senate Democrats can work together to lift our neighbors up and achieve our common goals.

Senator Harry Reid Announces Plans to Hold Faith Symposium in Las Vegas

After meeting with religious leaders in Las Vegas, Senator Harry Reid announced plans to hold a Faith Based Services Symposium. The goal of the symposium is to assemble religious leaders and social service advocates from the Las Vegas area to develop a community plan to address un-met needs in areas such as affordable housing, homelessness, drug prevention, ex-offender re-entry, gang intervention, youth programs, and senior services.

Senator Blanche Lincoln Host’s Faith Summit in Little Rock, Arkansas

Senator Blanche Lincoln moderates a panel discussion at her first Arkansas Faith Summit held on Thursday, June 2, 2005. The summit was attended by 200 members of the Arkansas faith community.  Senate Chaplain Barry Black served as the keynote speaker. (More Here)

Senator Reid Meets with Mainline Protestant Leaders

(Participants include: Maureen Shea, Director of Government Relations, The Episcopal Church USA; The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold Presiding Bishop and Primate The Episcopal Church; The Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA); Rev. Eleanora Giddings Ivory, Director of the Presbyterian  (USA) Washington Office; Rev. Ron Stief, Director UCC Justice and Witness Ministries and Jim Winkler, General Secretary, The General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church.

Senator Reid convened his second meeting with leaders from Mainline Protestant denominations. Both Senator Reid and leaders from the denominations have all called the Budget a moral document noting that the Budget reflects our priorities as a nation.  During this meeting they also discussed what can be done during the Budget Reconciliation process to restore funding in areas such as Medicaid, Food Stamps and other programs that provide for those in need.   

African American Ministers Join Congressional Leaders to Oppose Nuclear Option and Judge Janice Rogers Brown

Senator Debbie Stabenow, Congressman Jim Clyburn and Rev. Amos Brown recently held a press conference to voice their opposition to the nuclear option and the nomination of Judge Janice Rogers Brown to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. (More Here)

Senator Reid meets with the President of Catholic Charities, U.S.A.

(Father Larry Snyder, Senator Harry Reid, and Sharon Daly)

Senator Reid recently met with Father Larry Snyder, President of Catholic Charities, USA.  During the meeting, both Reid and Father Snyder agreed to work together on issues such as the Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and other programs to help people in need. 

President of the Pennsylvania Baptist Convention Addresses Senators and Audience at Social Security Town Hall in Philadelphia

Reverend Arthur R. White, President of the Pennsylvania Baptist Convention and Pastor of the Christ Community Baptist Church joined Senators Reid, Durbin, Dorgan and Lautenberg at a Social Security Town Hall Meeting in Philadelphia, PA.  During his remarks, Reverend White commented that our morals and our values must set the priorities for our policies.  He questioned the morality of privatizing Social Security, saying that it has provided for countless Americans during their greatest moments of need.  He also questioned President Bush’s priorities for proposing a budget that triggers huge cuts in Medicaid, education, and community development programs.

Statement by Senator Harry Reid in Observance of Holocaust Memorial Day

Today we mark the observance of Holocaust Memorial Day as we pause to remember the victims of the Holocaust and remember the incomprehensible acts of injustice that can occur when bigotry and hatred are not confronted. (More Here)

National Council of Churches hold Anti-Poverty Briefing

The National Council of Churches and the Faith Based Staff Working group recently held a briefing to review an anti-poverty program called “The Benefit Bank”. (More Here)

Senator Reid releases statement on National Day of Prayer (Read Statement)

Senator Reid Releases Statement on the Budget as a Moral Document (Read Statement)

Remarks of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton at the Seventh Day Adventists Annual Religious Liberty Dinner (Read Statement)