U.S. Congress Archives

Bishops support measure to protect faith-based foster agencies

Mar 16, 2021

Three U.S. Bishops Conference chairmen affirmed Monday their support for First Amendment protections for faith-based foster care and adoption providers with legislation introduced that aims to ensure those institutions continue to receive funding.

By John Lavenburg

COVID-19 pandemic makes human trafficking worse, panel says

Mar 10, 2021

Speakers at the 2021 Shine the Light Human Trafficking Conference agreed that the root causes of human trafficking have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and left especially women and children at a higher risk.

By John Lavenburg

Bishops say pandemic relief bill must be passed without abortion funding

Mar 5, 2021

If it passes and becomes law, the American Rescue Plan Congress is considering would pit the great need Americans have for economic relief in this pandemic against those who insist the bill must include abortion funding, said the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the chairmen of seven USCCB committees.

By Julie Asher

U.S. Senate again fails to pass Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

Feb 6, 2021

Failure to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act “shows just how extreme the majority of Senate Democrats are,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life.

By Catholic News Service

U.S. bishops want COVID-relief package to protect poor, vulnerable

Feb 4, 2021

In a letter to Congress Wednesday, six U.S. Bishop’s Conference chairmen outlined a number of key priorities – including housing assistance, healthcare and a pathway to citizenship – for lawmakers to consider for the next COVID-19 relief package.

By John Lavenburg

Capitol Hill riots addressed in homilies at some U.S. Catholic churches

Jan 13, 2021

Just days after the siege on the U.S. Capitol, several bishops, priests and deacons across the country used their pulpits during Jan. 9-10 weekend Masses in cathedrals, parishes and converted outdoor worship spaces, due to the pandemic, to address what happened in Washington and how people of faith should respond.

By Carol Zimmermann

Two Catholic members of Congress reflect on Capitol attack, work ahead

Jan 12, 2021

Seeing the U.S. Capitol building being stormed by a rioting mob Jan. 6 brought a visceral reaction from Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, a Republican from Nebraska. Fortenberry, who is Catholic and often attends daily Mass at St. Peter’s Church on Capitol Hill, called the attack a “desecration.”

By Mark Zimmermann, CNS

Fallout over Capitol siege extends to job losses for those who were there

Jan 11, 2021

Just as the political and criminal fallout has continued over the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol by people seeking to halt the Electoral College certification of President-Elect Joe Biden’s win in the November election, the fallout has extended to job losses for those who have been identified as taking part in the siege.

By Mark Pattison