The USCCB advocates for policies that protect and respect human life, with special concern for those who are unborn, disabled, or terminally ill. We seek to eliminate legalized abortion, ultimately through a constitutional amendment, and we support assistance for children and pregnant women while opposing public funding of abortion in domestic and foreign programs. We oppose legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia, while advocating improved pain management and other care for persons with disabilities and terminal illnesses. We support the protection of conscience rights for individuals and organizations with moral or religious objections to abortion and other practices that demean human life and the dignity of procreation. We support medical research that respects human life, while opposing unethical experimentation such as human cloning and harmful experiments on human embryos.
"Action alerts for pro-life issues can also be found through our partner organization, the National Committee for the Human Life Amendment.
"RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
The USCCB has a deep interest in legislation and policies that impact the religious liberty of both individuals and institutions....
"MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
The USCCB stands firm in its support for marriage which is, and can only be, a faithful, exclusive, lifelong union of one man and one woman and must remain such in law. We oppose efforts to make any other personal relationship the equivalent of marriage in law, regulation, or any other public policy. We will oppose measures that seek to redefine or erode the meaning of marriage. The family—based on marriage between a man and a woman—is the first and fundamental unit of society and is a sanctuary for the creation and nurturing of children and it should be defended and strengthened. We will seek to reinforce respect for the family and to uphold the rights and responsibilities of mothers and fathers to care for their children.
"CATHOLIC EDUCATION
The USCCB actively monitors all federal legislation relating to elementary and secondary education....the USCCB supports policies that recognize the right of parents to be the primary educators of their children. We also advocate for legislation that assists parents in defraying the costs of choosing the type of schooling most appropriate for their children, including education in Catholic schools. The USCCB works to ensure that all students, regardless of where they attend school, share federal benefits and services equitably.
"JUSTICE, PEACE AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT....
the USCCB engages in advocacy on concerns related to the defense and empowerment of poor and vulnerable communities in the United States and across the globe....
"MIGRATION AND REFUGEES
The USCCB works to ensure that persons fleeing persecution and other refugee-like situations have special standing and consideration and that family reunification remains the just basis for our immigration policy. The USCCB supports legislation that would make comprehensive reforms in the nation’s immigration laws, including increased opportunities for immigrants to legally enter or remain in the United States and an opportunity for undocumented immigrants who are in the United States to legalize their status. The USCCB also supports legislation to ensure that immigrants are welcomed as if they are part of our families; that our immigration and refugee processes are user-friendly; that all workers have the right to work and live without exploitation; and that efforts to stem undocumented migration maintain the dignity, humanity, and due process rights of those who are suspected of being undocumented aliens. The USCCB also works to protect particularly vulnerable migrants, such as trafficking victims and unaccompanied alien minors.
"Action alerts for issues related to immigration reform can be found through the USCCB-led Catholic coalition, Justice for Immigrants.
"COMMUNICATIONS
The USCCB is committed to ensuring a religious presence in mass communications, removing barriers to communication, preserving the public’s access to information, and the right to freedom of speech for everyone. We are also committed to eliminating the presence of pornography and violence in the media, with special emphasis on protecting children, along with providing higher quality programming, providing Catholic information and educational programming, and promoting diversity in ownership of communications outlets....
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