U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Federal Issues

• "Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan and Archbishop William E. Lori – as chairmen of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities and Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, respectively – commended the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Conscience Protection Act of 2016 (S. 304) ....'Even those who disagree on the life issue should be able to respect the conscience rights of those who wish not to be involved in supporting abortion'" (USCCB, 7/13/16).
  
  "Urging support for the First Amendment Defense Act Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, issued the following statement:

'Today the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a hearing on the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA). The USCCB has been vocal in support of this legislation, as it would provide a measure of protection for religious freedom at the federal level. FADA is a modest but important step in ensuring conscience protection to faith-based organizations and people of all faiths and of no faith who believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman, protecting them from discrimination by the federal government. The increasing intolerance toward religious belief and belief in the conjugal meaning of marriage makes these protections essential for continuing faith-based charitable work, which supports the common good of our society. Faith-based agencies and schools should not lose their licenses or accreditation simply because they hold reasonable views on marriage that differ from the federal government's view.

'The definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, universally held for centuries, has nothing to do with disrespect for others, nor does it depend on religious belief. Rather, it is based on truths about the human person that are understandable by reason. Faithful to its commitment to serve the best interests of society, the Catholic Church will continue to promote and protect the truth of marriage as foundational to the common good. The Church will also continue to stand for the ability of all to exercise their religious beliefs and moral convictions in public life without fear, and to witness to the truth. 

'We are pleased to support the First Amendment Defense Act, and we urge Congress to pass this important legislation'" (USCCB, 7/12/16)

YES to the Russell amendment, the Conscience Protection Act of 2016, the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act (HR1299/S667), and the First Amendment Defense Act (HR2802/S1598); NO to "the Separation Wall in the Cremisan Valley." 

How is the Pa Delegation Responding (as of 7/16/16)?

Pa’s Delegation in D.C.	The 2016 Omnibus spending bill did NOT  include ANDA, but passed  the   House and  Senate.	As per the USCCB,  Support the Con-science Protec-tion Act  (S 304)	As per the USCCB, Support CWPIA (Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act; HR 1299/ S667)	“If passed, the [Maloney] amendments could infringe upon religious liberty of federal contractors, critics say” (CNA / EWTN News, 5/27/16).		As per the USCCB, Support FADA (First Amend-ment Defense Act; HR2802/ S1598)	As per the USCCB, support the Russell Amend-ment to the National Defense Authori-zation Act.	As per the USCCB, Oppose “confi-scation of Christian lands in Cremisan Valley”
				See Final Vote Results for Roll Call 226	See Final Vote Results for Roll Call 258
1.    Bob Brady (D)	Voted Yea	Voted Nay		Voted Yea	Voted Yea
2.    Chaka Fattah (D)	Voted Yea	----------
3.    Mike Kelly (R)	Voted Noe	Voted Yea	Sponsor	Voted Noe	Voted Noe	Co- Sponsor
4.    Scott Perry (R)	Voted Noe	Voted Yea		Voted Noe	Voted Noe	Co- Sponsor
5.    Glenn Thompson (R)	Voted Yea	Voted Yea	Co-Sponsor	Voted Noe	Voted Noe	Co- Sponsor
6.    Ryan Costello (R)	Voted Yea	Voted Yea		Voted Yea	Voted Yea
7.    Pat Meehan  (R)	Voted Noe	Voted Yea		Voted Yea	Voted Yea
8.    Mike  Fitzpatrick (R)	Voted Yea	Voted Yea	Co-Sponsor	Voted Yea	Voted Yea
9.    Bill Shuster (R)	Voted Noe	Voted Yea		Voted Noe	Voted Noe
10.  Tom Marino  (R)	Voted Noe	Voted Yea	Co-Sponsor	Voted Noe	Voted Noe	Co- Sponsor
11.  Lou Barletta  (R)	Voted Noe	Voted Yea	Co-Sponsor	Voted Noe	Voted Noe
12.  Keith Rothfus (R)	Voted Noe	Voted Yea	Co-Sponsor	Voted Noe	Voted Noe	Co- Sponsor
13.  Brendan Boyle (D)	Voted Yea	Voted Nay		Voted Yea	Voted Yea
14.  Michael Doyle (D)	Voted Yea	Voted Nay		Voted Yea	Voted Yea
15.  Charlie Dent  (R)	Voted Yea	Voted Yea		Voted Yea	Voted Yea
16.  Joseph Pitts   (R)	Voted Yea	Voted Yea	Co-Sponsor	Voted Noe	Voted Noe	Co- Sponsor
17.  Matthew Cartwright (D)	Voted Yea	Voted Nay		Voted Yea	Voted Yea
18.  Tim Murphy  (R)	Voted Yea	Voted Yea	Co-Sponsor	Voted Noe	Voted Noe	Co- Sponsor
·     Bob Casey (D)	Voted Yea
·     Pat Toomey   (R)	Voted Noe

• Click to Email Pa's Congressional Delegation, asking for support of positions backed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.