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Action Alert: Tell the Senate to support the Farm Bill

Urge Your Senators: Ensure our nation feeds the hungry, preserves God’s creation, supports small family farmers and rural America
 
Every five years, the U.S. Congress decides how our federal government will help feed hungry people here at home and overseas, support growth in U.S. rural communities, assist farmers, and promote environmental conservation. The legislation that includes all of these important objectives and many more is called the “Farm Bill.” It needs to be renewed before the current version expires at the end of September 2012. The Senate is expected to introduce its version of the Farm Bill soon. Your voice is needed now to make sure that the new Farm Bill feeds the hungry, preserves God’s creation, and supports small family farmers and rural America.

Your faith and your Church bring deeply rooted principles to this debate. As Catholics, we believe that each person’s life is a sacred gift from God and that it must be protected. Since food is required to sustain life, the Church teaches it is a basic right for all people. We believe that must support those who grow our food in their times of need, to care for God’s creation, and ensure our brothers and sisters who are poor and hungry have access to nutritious food.

Your Church also brings tremendous experience to the debate around the Farm Bill. Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) feed and assist millions of people living in poverty at home and overseas. Our National Catholic Rural Life Conference (NCRLC) has been serving the rural people and their communities for 80 years. Your Church knows from personal experience how the Farm Bill affects us all, but most significantly, how it impacts those who are hungry, living in poverty, and struggling to keep farming a viable way of life.

That is why your Church, led by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, along with CRS, CCUSA, and NCRLC, is united in support of a Farm Bill that provides for poor and hungry people in the United States and around the world, offers effective assistance for those who grow our food, ensures fairness to family farmers and ranchers, and promotes stewardship of the land.

Join us in our call to the Senate to put hungry people first, to support small family farms and poor farmers here at home and overseas, and to promote environmental conservation. Your voice is powerful and can make change happen. For all of us, for our brothers and sisters, and for God’s creation.


 

House Subcommittee Votes to Remove Funding for SSBGs
 
On Wednesday, April 18, the House Ways and Means Committee approved a draft budget proposal that would repeal the Social Services Block Grant and cut other social spending in an attempt to find $53 billion in savings over the next ten years. The measure, along with two others to recapture overpayments from federal health insurance and require a Social Security number to claim the refundable child tax credit, was sent to the House Budget Committee along by a 22-14 vote.
 
A competing proposal to finance SSBGs through a surtax on those making over $1 million annually was ruled non-germane. The limited amounts of spending on SSBGs was a result of the House leadership’s call for committees to find additional budget-cutting to avoid the automatic cuts, known as sequesters, that were passed by the Budget Control Act of 2011.
 
The proposal now goes to the House Budget Committee, which will consider whether or not to pass it along to be voted by the full House. If the bill were to pass the House, it is not expected to be considered by the Senate. Catholic Charities USA will continue to closely monitor the progress of this legislation and provide opportunities for you to make your voice heard on the importance of these programs. Please take a moment to visit this action alert to send information about local programs funded by SSBGs directly to your Members of Congress. For more information, please contact Ron Jackson, Senior Director, Government Affairs, at rjackson@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
 
 
House Agriculture Committee Discusses SNAP Cuts
 
The House Committee on Agriculture on Thursday, April 18, voted along party lines to cut $33 billion in 10 years from SNAP (formerly known as food stamp) benefits. While the vote was taken in an attempt to meet lower spending limits to cut the federal budget deficit, it is been seen largely as a symbolic move that will not become law. The committee recommended a cut of $19.7 billion in five years, and the balance in the following five years.
 
Watch for an action alert from Catholic Charities USA, and be prepared to urge Members of Congress to ensure that SNAP benefits continue to be available for seniors, children, and others in need. Even though it is not expected that these cuts will be passed in the Senate, it is still important to engage in advocacy over this important program.
 
Catholic Charities USA will continue to monitor these cuts and will provide an action alert for you take action. For more information, please contact Ron Jackson, Senior Director, Government Affairs, at rjackson@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
 
 
House Budget Committee Holds Hearing on Strengthening Safety Net
 
On Tuesday, April 17, the House Committee on the Budget held a hearing entitled “Strengthening the Safety Net.” The Chair of the committee, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI,) called the hearing to discuss ways in which the safety net is in need of reform and finding more efficient ways to provide services to those in need.
 
There were four witnesses on the panel: Casey Mulligan, Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago, Ron Haskins, Co-Director of the Center on Children and Families at the Brookings Institution, Robert Rector, Senior Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, and
Robert Greenstein, President for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
 
While discussion largely centered around the long-term budgetary impact of elevated levels of social safety net spending, witnesses and Members of Congress also talked about finding efficiencies in social spending and ensuring that recipients of SNAP and other programs received the services they need to achieve self-sufficiency.
 
For copies of the written testimony from each of the witnesses, including the opening statement by Chairman Ryan, please visit http://budget.house.gov/HearingSchedule/Hearing4172012.htm. For more information, please contact Patrick Brown, Manager, Strategic Initiatives, at pbrown@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
 
 
 
Senate Scheduled to Take Up Farm Bill Reauthorization
 
While the House Agriculture Committee voted to cut the SNAP program, the process of authorization continued in the Senate. The Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI,) announced that she hopes to be able to make a draft of her committee’s farm bill public by early this week, with the full committee voting on its provisions (in what is called the mark-up process) starting next Wednesday, April 25, 2012.
 
In the House, the Agriculture Committee is planning to hold a series of hearings on the programs covered under the Farm Bill, including the aforementioned Supplemental Food Assistance Program. They are expected to last through the middle of May. The reauthorization of the Farm Bill will need to be passed by the House and the Senate and signed by the President – it is expected that disagreement between the chambers will continue due to the contentious election year.
 
Please join with our partners at other Catholic organizations by taking action to support a Farm Bill reauthorization that stays true to our faith's principles. Catholic Charities USA will continue to monitor this and other legislative activity pending before Congress and provide opportunities for you to weigh in during the legislative process. For more information, please contact Ron Jackson, Senior Director, Government Affairs, at rjackson@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org.


 

***
Washington Weekly
is a publication of the Social Policy Department of Catholic Charities USA
and is published regularly when Congress is in session.
Catholic Charities USA
Sixty-Six Canal Center Plaza, Suite 600, Alexandria, VA 22314




 

BISHOPS ISSUE CALL TO ACTION TO DEFEND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
 
Urge strong lay involvement
Outline threats to First Freedom at all levels of government and abroad
Call upon dioceses to pursue religious liberty fortnight, June 21-July 4
 
The U.S. bishops have issued a call to action to defend religious liberty and urged laity to work to protect the First Freedom of the Bill of Rights. They outlined their position in “Our First, Most Cherished Freedom.” The document was developed by the Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), approved for publication by the USCCB Administrative Committee March 13, and published in English and Spanish April 12.
 
The document can be found at http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/our-first-most-cherished-liberty.cfm.
 
“We have been staunch defenders of religious liberty in the past. We have a solemn duty to discharge that duty today,” the bishops said in the document, “… for religious liberty is under attack, both at home and abroad.”  The document lists concerns that prompt the bishops to act now.  Among concerns are:

•           The Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate forcing all employers, including religious organizations, to provide and pay for coverage of employees’ contraception, sterilization, and abortion-inducing drugs even when they have moral objections to them. Another concern is HHS’s defining which religious institutions are “religious enough” to merit protection of their religious liberty,

•           Driving Catholic foster care and adoption services out of business. Boston, San Francisco, the District of Columbia and Illinois have driven local Catholic Charities adoption or foster care services out of business by revoking their licenses, by ending their government contracts, or both—because those Charities refused to place children with same-sex couples or unmarried opposite-sex couples who cohabit.

•           Discrimination against Catholic humanitarian services. Despite years of excellent performance by the USCCB’s Migration and Refugee Services in administering contract services for victims of human trafficking, the federal government changed its contract specifications to require USCCB to provide or refer for contraceptive and abortion services in violation of Catholic teaching. Religious institutions should not be disqualified from a government contract based on religious belief, and they do not lose their religious identity or liberty upon entering such contracts. Recently a federal court judge in Massachusetts turned religious liberty on its head when he declared that such a disqualification is required by the First Amendment—that the government violates religious liberty by allowing Catholic organizations to participate in contracts in a manner consistent with their beliefs on contraception and abortion.
            
The bishops decry limiting religious freedom to the sanctuary.
Religious liberty is not only about our ability to go to Mass on Sunday or pray the Rosary at home. It is about whether we can make our contribution to the common good of all Americans,” they said. “Can we do the good works our faith calls us to do, without having to compromise that very same faith?”   “This is not a Catholic issue. This is not a Jewish issue. This is not an Orthodox, Mormon, or Muslim issue. It is an American issue,” they said.
 
The document ends with a call to action.
“What we ask is nothing more than that our God-given right to religious liberty be respected. We ask nothing less than that the Constitution and laws of the United States, which recognize that right, be respected.”  They specifically addressed several groups: the laity, those in public office, heads of Catholic charitable agencies, priests, experts in communication, and urged each to employ the gifts and talents of its members for religious liberty.
 
The  bishops called for “A Fortnight for Freedom,” the two-week period from June 21 to July 4—beginning with the feasts of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher and ending with Independence Day—to focus “all the energies the Catholic community can muster” for religious liberty.  They also asked that, later in the year, the feast of Christ the King be “a day specifically employed by bishops and priests to preach about religious liberty, both here and abroad.”
 
Please continue to check back on our website, www.indianacc.org , for current events.
 

Congress will be on a two-week recess for the Easter break. The next issue of Washington Weekly will be published after they return to Washington. Happy Easter!
 
For the latest news from the Catholic Charities USA Social Policy team, please follow us on Twitter @CCUSA2EP (CCUSA “2” End Poverty)!
 
House Passes Budget Proposal
 
On Thursday, March 29, the House passed a budget proposal authored by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) by a vote of 228 to 191, ending a series of budget-related votes and passing the budget on to the Senate. However, it is not expected that the Senate will take action on the plan or propose one of their own, leading to a possible October showdown over spending limits.
 
Much like the budget proposed by the White House weeks ago, the budget proposal is a suggested road map to lay out tax and spending changes, and is not expected to be enacted into law. The House voted down the budget proposed by the President by a vote of 414-0 on Wednesday. A budget plan based on the Simpson-Bowles deficit reduction commission was also voted down, with only 38 members voting in favor of the plan.
 
The budget’s passage means that House appropriators will get to work writing their spending bills following their two-week recess. The House has set April 27 a target to have spending bills drafted that find an additional $261 billion in savings to forestall the automatic spending cuts agreed to under the Budget Control Act passed last August.
 
Catholic Charities USA will continue to follow the budgeting process and provide updates when they become available. For more information, please contact Patrick Brown, Manager, Strategic Initiatives, at pbrown@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
 
 
Administration Proposes Immigration Waiver Process
 
On March 30, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a proposed rule to the Federal Register that would allow certain groups of undocumented immigrants to become lawful permanent residents. Under the proposed rule, undocumented immigrants who are immediate family members of U.S. citizens would be permitted to apply for a waiver provided they have not committed any crime and show that a separation would produce “extreme hardship.” This would significantly reduce the amount of time that families are separated, as individuals awaiting processing are forced to wait up to 10 years. The rule would also allow students enrolled in school or who have joined the military to also remain in the United States legally.
 
The proposed rule follows an announcement on March 29 that the Department of Homeland Security would suspend deportation proceedings in Detroit, New Orleans, Orlando, and Seattle while officials review cases of undocumented immigrants who have remained in the country without applying for green cards. The Administration is also expected to halt deportations in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
 
USCIS is accepting public comment from April 2 until July 7. Details on the proposed rule are available by visiting this link. For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Policy and Legislative Affairs, at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
 
 
Supreme Court Holds Hearings on Affordable Care Act
 
Two years after being signed into law, key provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act were argued before the Supreme Court over the course of three days of hearings. In determining the constitutionality of key components of the legislation, the nine justices of the Supreme Court heard from opponents and defenders of the law and are expected to hand down their decision by late June.
 
Recognizing the importance and wide reach of the law, the Court allowed more time for oral arguments than in any other case in the past 45 years. On Monday, the justices heard arguments over whether a tax statute from 1867 prevented this case from being heard until the law is fully enacted. Tuesday was focused on a key part of the law, the individual mandate, and whether the Commerce Clause in the Constitution grants Congress the permission to require every citizen to obtain health insurance. On Wednesday, the Court heard arguments about whether the law should be treated as a whole or in severable parts and whether Congress can tie Medicaid funding to new insurance coverage thresholds for individual states.
 
This important case will likely reach a resolution by the end of June. For more information, please contact Patrick Brown, Manager, Strategic Initiatives, at pbrown@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
 
 
House Holds Hearing on At-Risk Youth Legislation
 
On Monday, March 26, the House Education and Workforce subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary education held a hearing on the Youth Promise Act (HR 2721), legislation aimed at providing communities with much needed support to develop comprehensive responses to youth gang, crime and delinquency challenges.
 
The witness panel included:
Hill Harper: actor (CSI: NY), author of bestselling books Letters to a Young Brother and Letters to a Young Sister, philanthropist, and founder of Manifest Your Destiny, a nonprofit organization that works to empower underserved youth;
John Prendergast: author, activist and co-founder of the Enough Project, a nonprofit human rights organization affiliated with the Center for American Progress. Prendergast co-authored the book Unlikely Brothers with his mentee;
Michael Mattocks: co-author of Unlikely Brothers and mentee of John Prendergast;
Dr. Catherine Gallagher: Director of the Cochrane Collaboration College for Policy & Associate Professor of Criminology, Law and Society at George Mason University;
Dr. Jorja Leap: Adjunct Associate Professor of Social Welfare at UCLA and author of Jumped In;
Bobby Kipper: former Newport News police officer, founder of the National Center for the Prevention of Community Violence, and author of the bestselling book No Colors; and
Frank Carrillo: restorative justice activist and student.
 The bill, introduced in August 2011, includes provisions that would allow communities facing the greatest challenges with youth gang, delinquency, and crime activity to collaborate via a local council, including law enforcement, community-based organizations, schools, faith-based organizations, health, social services, and mental health providers—to develop and implement a plan to support young people and their families. Such an approach has the potential to make communities safer, reduce victimization and helps ensure that our nation’s most at-risk children are afforded the resources they need to grow into productive adults.
 
To view the bill text, please click here: http://www.bobbyscott.house.gov/images/stories/ypa_white_paper.pdf
To view the hearing, please click here: http://www.c-span.org/Events/Rep-Scott-D-VA-Holds-Discussion-on-Preventing-Youth-Incarceration/10737429335-1/
 
Catholic Charities USA supports policies that focus on prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation of our nation’s youth. For more information, contact Lucreda Cobbs, Sr. Director, Policy and Legislative Affairs, at lcobbs@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org



 

Tickets $10 each/ 6 for $50
Drawing Thursday, April 26, 8:50 pm
Smee’s Place Restaurant, Indianapolis
Prizes include three IPAD3s; need not be present to win.

You can purchase tickets ($10 each or 6 for $50) by bringing a check to Smee’s Place (1454 W. 86th Street) for the Ruckelhaus’ Benefit on April 26, between 5 and 9 PM. Or you can mail your donation or raffle purchase to Lisa Newhouse Lubbers, 8645 Sturgen Bay Lane, Indianapolis, 46236.Checks payable to Legacy Foundation, which supports Jay and the expenses associated with his recovery from a diving accident.

Jay Ruckelshaus, son of John and Mary Ruckelshaus and Cathedral H.S.’s 2011 valedictorian, was critically injured in a diving accident at Geist Reservoir in July. Instead of matriculating at Duke University, where he had earned a full scholarship, Jay went to the Shepard Center in Atlanta for treatment and rehabilitation of his
ASIA B, Sensory Incomplete, injury. Today, Jay is involved with a Neuro Recovery Network study, and he is working to get his arms stronger so that he will one day feed himself and use a manual wheelchair. Jay still plans to enroll at Duke in the fall,and between now and then, he will be working hard to continue his progress.

The Ruckelshaus family wishes to thank everyone for their continued love, prayers, and support.  For
more information about Jay’s recovery, visit www.prayforjay.com, and see Ann Ryder’s, WTHR-TV report
on Jay on YouTube.



 

The bishops have asked that all set March 30 as day of prayer and fasting for religious liberty. They have noted with gratitude the great support from the laity and the spontaneous outpouring of prayer from so many parishes, organizations, associations, and individuals.  The bishops seek to encourage that effort with new prayer resources posted at www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/conscience-protection/resources-on-conscience-protection.cfm


In addition to prayer, an understanding of the real issues at stake is important if we are to change this unjust policy. Herein is an edited copy of the recent USCCB Administrative Committee’s statement explaining their concerns regarding the Health and Human Services mandate:

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is focused in its opposition to the various threats to religious freedom in our day. In our role as Bishops, we approach this question prayerfully and as pastors—concerned not only with the protection of the Church's own institutions, but with the care of the souls of the individual faithful, and with the common good.

We begin, first, with thanks to all who have stood firmly with us in our vigorous opposition to this unjust and illegal mandate: to our brother bishops; to our clergy and religious; to our Catholic faithful; to the wonderful array of Catholic groups and institutions that enliven our civil society; to our ecumenical and interfaith allies; to women and men of all religions (or none at all); to legal scholars; and to civic leaders. It is your enthusiastic unity in defense of religious freedom that has made such a dramatic and positive impact in this historic public debate. With your continued help, we will not be divided, and we will continue forward as one.

Second, we wish to clarify what this debate is—and is not—about. This is not about access to contraception, which is ubiquitous and inexpensive, even when it is not provided by the Church's hand and with the Church's funds. This is not about the religious freedom of Catholics only, but also of those who recognize that their cherished beliefs may be next on the block. This is not about the Bishops' somehow "banning contraception," when the U.S. Supreme Court took that issue off the table two generations ago. Indeed, this is not about the Church wanting to force anybody to do anything; it is instead about the federal government forcing the Church—consisting of its faithful and all but a few of its institutions—to act against Church teachings. This is not a matter of opposition to universal health care, which has been a concern of the Bishops' Conference since 1919, virtually at its founding. This is not a fight we want or asked for, but one forced upon us by government on its own timing. Finally, this is not a Republican or Democratic, a conservative or liberal issue; it is an American issue.

So what is it about?

An unwarranted government definition of religion. The mandate includes an extremely narrow definition of what HHS deems a "religious employer" deserving exemption—employers who, among other things, must hire and serve primarily those of their own faith. We are deeply concerned about this new definition of who we are as people of faith and what constitutes our ministry. The introduction of this unprecedented defining of faith communities and their ministries has precipitated this struggle for religious freedom. Government has no place defining religion and religious ministry. HHS thus creates and enforces a new distinction—alien both to our Catholic tradition and to federal law—between our houses of worship and our great ministries of service to our neighbors, namely, the poor, the homeless, the sick, the students in our schools and universities, and others in need, of any faith community or none. Cf. Deus Caritas Est, Nos. 20-33.

A mandate to act against our teachings. The exemption is not merely a government foray into internal Church governance, where government has no legal competence or authority—disturbing though that may be. This error in theory has grave consequences in principle and practice. Those deemed by HHS not to be "religious employers" will be forced by government to violate their own teachings within their very own institutions. This is not only an injustice in itself, but it also undermines the effective proclamation of those teachings to the faithful and to the world

A violation of personal civil rights. The HHS mandate creates still a third class, those with no conscience protection at all: individuals who, in their daily lives, strive constantly to act in accordance with their faith and moral values. They, too, face a government mandate to aid in providing "services" contrary to those values—whether in their sponsoring of, and payment for, insurance as employers; their payment of insurance premiums as employees; or as insurers themselves—without even the semblance of an exemption. This, too, is unprecedented in federal law, which has long been generous in protecting the rights of individuals not to act against their religious beliefs or moral convictions. We have consistently supported these rights, particularly in the area of protecting the dignity of all human life, and we continue to do so.

We will continue our vigorous efforts at education and public advocacy on the principles of religious liberty and their application in this case (and others). We will continue to accept any invitation to dialogue with the Executive Branch to protect the religious freedom that is rightly ours. We will continue to pursue legislation to restore the same level of religious freedom we have enjoyed until just recently. And we will continue to explore our options for relief from the courts, under the U.S. Constitution and other federal laws that protect religious freedom. All of these efforts will proceed concurrently, and in a manner that is mutually reinforcing.

Most importantly of all, we call upon the Catholic faithful, and all people of faith, throughout our country to join us in prayer and penance for our leaders and for the complete protection of our First Freedom—religious liberty—which is not only protected in the laws and customs of our great nation, but rooted in the teachings of our great Tradition. Prayer is the ultimate source of our strength—for without God, we can do nothing; but with God, all things are possible.




 

Catholic Charities Network Visits Capitol Hill
 
Last Wednesday, 60 directors of local Catholic Charities agencies convened in Washington D.C. to speak to their Members of Congress and their staffs about poverty in America. Representing nearly 40 states, the directors delivered messages and discussed solutions tailored to their unique districts with their elected officials. Following the day on the Hill, the directors and Catholic Charities USA staff came together to debrief on the day and discuss how the directors might continue conversations on poverty reduction back in their local districts. Leaders from across the Catholic Charities network asked their elected officials to spend time visiting a local agency or devote a town hall meeting to the topic of poverty.
 
The directors met with elected representatives and their senior staff to push for a conversation about innovation in the social service delivery system while ensuring that those who need help will still receive it. The principles of systems-changing, results-driven, and market-based reform that were brought to the meetings were taken directly from Catholic Charities USA’s signature legislation, the National Opportunity and Community Renewal Act.
 
Please keep an eye out for more stories and pictures from the Catholic Charities network’s visit to the Hill in upcoming issues of Washington Weekly, on our website, and on our Twitter feed. For more information about these visits, please contact Anna Porto, Manager, Strategic Partnerships, at aporto@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
 
 
GOP Budget Chairman Releases 2013 Budget Proposal
 
On Tuesday, March 20, House Budget Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan, R-WI, released a proposed budget for fiscal year 2013 that set forth principles of reforming the income tax structures, protecting defense spending, transitioning Medicare into a premium support plan, and lowering levels of discretionary spending.
 
The House budget proposal aims to reduce the federal deficit by $3.1 trillion over the next ten years by making changes to the 2010 health care overhaul, reducing federal subsidies for high-speed rail and financial aid for college, and reducing the federal workforce by 10 percent. The budget proposal also targets Medicaid spending and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for conversion into block grant programs and reducing government support for crop insurance.
 
As written, the proposal would set the discretionary spending cap at $1.028 trillion, $19 billion below the $1.047 trillion cap originally laid out in the debt limit deal last August. The budget would also overhaul the tax code, consolidating the current six income tax brackets into two, set at 10 and 25 percent. Much like the President’s budget released several weeks ago, the budget is not expected to be enacted into law. The budget was passed by the House Budget Committee and is expected to be brought to the House for a vote. If it passes the House, the Senate is unlikely to agree to spending levels laid out in the budget.
 
Catholic Charities USA is currently reviewing the entire proposal and invites to check back regularly for updates and more information. The budget proposal can be found in its entirety on the House Budget Committee website. For more information on the budget, please contact Patrick Brown, Manager, Strategic Initiatives, at pbrown@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
 
 
Senate Passes ‘JOBS’ Act
 
In an election-year display of bi-partisanship, the Senate passed the JOBS Act by a vote of 73-26 on Thursday, March 22, two weeks after the House passed the measure 390-23. Minor changes to the bill on the Senate side will require it to be passed again by the House, but if it garners passage again, it will head to the President’s desk to be signed.
 
The Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act is intended to spur small businesses by relaxing federal regulations that apply to start-up companies. The bill would directly impact a set of six regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and would make it easier for companies to go public. Opponents of the legislation said that it would undo critical financial oversight, but supporters argued that the bill will cut red tape and lead to more hiring and investment to aid the economic recovery.
 
The bill is expected to be passed and sent to the President by the end of this week. For more information on this legislation, please contact Patrick Brown, Manager, Strategic Initiatives, at pbrown@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org



 

WASHINGTON-The U.S. bishops are strongly united in their ongoing and determined  efforts to protect religious freedom, the Administrative Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) said in a March 14 statement.
            The Administrative Committee, chaired by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the USCCB, is the highest authority of the bishops' conference outside the semi-annual sessions of the full body of bishops. The Committee's membership consists of the elected chairmen of all the USCCB permanent committees and an elected bishop representative from each of the geographic regions of the USCCB.
            The full statement can be found at www. www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/upload/Admin-Religious-Freedom.pdf
           The Administrative Committee said it was "strongly unified and intensely focused in its opposition to the various threats to religious freedom in our day." The bishops will continue their vigorous work of education on religious freedom, dialogue with the executive branch, legislative initiatives and efforts in the courts to defend religious freedom. They promised a longer statement on the principles at the heart of religious freedom, which will come later from the bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty.
            The bishops noted that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate that forces all private health plans to provide coverage of sterilization and contraceptives - including abortion-inducing drugs - called for an immediate response. Of particular concern, they said, are a religious exemption from the mandate that the bishops deem "arbitrarily narrow" and an "unspecified and dubious future 'accommodation''' offered to other religious organizations that are denied the exemption.
            The bishops thanked supporters from the Catholic community and beyond "who have stood firmly with us in our vigorous opposition to this unjust and illegal mandate."
            "It is your enthusiastic unity in defense of religious freedom that has made such a dramatic and positive impact in this historic public debate."
            The bishops said this dispute is not about access to contraceptives but about the government's forcing the Church to provide them. Their concerns are not just for the Catholic Church but also for "those who recognize that their cherished beliefs may be next on the block."
            "Indeed, this is not about the Church wanting to force anybody to do anything; it is instead about the federal government forcing the Church - consisting of its faithful and all but a few of its institutions - to act against Church teachings," they said.
            The Church has worked for universal healthcare in the United States since 1919, they added, and said the current issue "is not a Republican or Democratic, a conservative or liberal issue; it is an American issue."
            The bishops called the HHS mandate "an unwarranted government definition of religion," with government deciding who is a religious employer deserving exemption from the law.
            "The introduction of this unprecedented defining of faith communities and their ministries has precipitated this struggle for religious freedom," the bishops said.
            "Government has no place defining religion and religious ministry," they said.
"If this definition is allowed to stand, it will spread throughout federal law, weakening its healthy tradition of generous respect for religious freedom and diversity," they said.
            The bishops said the government's foray into church governance "where government has no legal competence or authority" is beyond disturbing. Those deemed by HHS not to be "religious employers," the bishops said, "will be forced by government to violate their own teachings within their very own institutions. This is not only an injustice in itself, but it also undermines the effective proclamation of those teachings to the faithful and to the world."
            The bishops also called the HHS mandate "a violation of personal civil rights."  The new mandate creates a class of people "with no conscience protection at all: individuals who, in their daily lives, strive constantly to live in accordance with their faith and values," the bishops said. "They too face a government mandate to aid in providing 'services' contrary to those values - whether in their sponsoring of, and payment for, insurance as employers; their payment of insurance premiums as employees, or as insurers themselves - without even the semblance of exemptions."
            The bishops called for the Catholic faithful, and all people of good will throughout the nation to join them in prayer and penance "for our leaders and for the complete protection of our First Freedom - religious liberty."
            "Prayer is the ultimate source of our strength," the bishops said, "for without God we can do nothing. But with God all things are possible."

 

The General Assembly is finishing up on Friday and as of this writing, many items are still in play with conference reports being amended and caucuses meeting to discuss changes.
 
Transportation of non-public school students remains alive in the conference committee process. However, now it is part of an omnibus bill dealing with many education matters including some with broad consensus and others that are divisive. In regard to transportation, there is one small change from the initial language. It now requires that the students be dropped off at a point from which they can walk to school, rather than “safely” walk to school. The adverb caused some to be concerned about liability and setting a legal standard. The change is acceptable. Now we need to see if 384 will pass.
 
The issue dealing with in-state tuition for undocumented students, but residents, did not move out of the Senate. The bill was not called down because the Senate leadership received many calls in opposition. The bill died. Its contents is one of the bills which will now become part of SB 384, without the language granting in-state tuition.
 
The conference committee dealing with SB 296, Certified scholarship program, did not fare well. Despite efforts by Senator Jean Leising (R – Oldenburg) to add grade 8 as an entry point the House Republican caucus did not want to deal with the issue. Senator Leising is expected to concur with the House version of the bill. As it returned from the House, the bill does make a small improvement in the law by allowing students whose family income exceeds the limits but later is within the income guidelines to again be eligible without having to transfer to the public school first.
 
The definition and regulations of child care ministry have been an ongoing issue within the General Assembly for several years and it looks like it will return again next year. The Senate attempted to define “registered child care ministry” to more closely affiliate with a church or religious institution, but many in the evangelical community objected since the language had not been vetted in the committee process; rather it was added on second reading. Hence, the House rejected that part and instead asked for this to be considered by a study committee. The original bill requires the Division of Family Resources to establish a child care ministries advisory committee, which remains in the bill. The conference report is still pending.
 
However, some issues are settled.
 
HB 1141, Home energy assistance, has passed after some technical changes in how the funds were administered. Now the next step is the Governor’s signature. There is no indication yet what he intends to do.
 
Next week we should have a wrap-up of the session.
 
In addition to the Update, one can obtain more detailed information regarding the bills and detailed information about the legislative process through the ICC Legislative Action Center. Under “policy tools” click on “issues and legislation” and access the state or federal bills by clicking “current legislation”. Also, you can access the archived updates, ICC positions and other background information at the ICC website www.indianacc.org

Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops in Indiana regarding state and national matters.
 

Committees finished their work this week and many bills kept moving through the process on the floor. Next week the focus will be second and third reading. Differences between versions of the bills will be reconciled in conference committee and voting upon the agreements during the week of March 4. The intent is to adjourn on March 9.
 
The House Public Health Committee passed out SB 15, but Representative Tim Brown (R – Crawfordsville) did not move the amendment to include the Physician Scope of Treatment form. He was convinced that the health and hospital community would develop a form that the General Assembly could adopt next session.
 
The Public Health Committee also passed SB 201, Transfer of human organisms, 8 – 2. The bill will allow fertility clinics to legally reimburse donors for ova before freezing them and then using the ova in an IVF process for another. Current law only permits the recipient to reimburse (buy) the ova. However, the bill also contains a provision that prohibits the fertility clinic to use any of the ova for embryonic stem cell research. It also removes from current Indiana law the ability to do embryonic stem research using Federal guidelines. These provisions are positive but the IVF industry needs regulation. ICC attempted to have the bill amended to restrict the number of ova fertilized at any one time, but the issue required too much time to develop. This could be a topic for future sessions because one explanation of the purpose of the bill was to reduce the number of embryos created and the large number held in indefinite storage. The bill moves to the floor next week.
 
House Education Committee passed SB 296, Certified scholarship eligibility, but amended out the provision that would make students in grade 8 eligible for a tax credit scholarship. It also passed second reading. SB 296 now provides that a student who received a scholarship in an earlier year but not the preceding year to again qualify for the scholarship in a later year. ICC supports this provision and is hopeful that the grade 8 eligibility provision can be added back during conference committee.
 
As expected SB 72, dealing with chemical abortions, did not receive a hearing. The House leadership did not want to deal with this emotional topic after the emotional struggle over Right to Work.
 
Senator Luke Kenley (R - Noblesville) in Senate Appropriations Committee stripped out the language in HB 1134 which added language to clarify Indiana law that requires school districts to transport students to non-public schools. However, Representative Bob Behning (R – Indianapolis), in House Education Committee, added the transportation language in SB 384 which deals with school accreditation. Hence, it is still possible to clarify the law this session. We also have an option of including it in another bill to ensure that it is viable during the final days of the session. It will come down to conference committee discussions and final passage of the bill which contains it.
 
HB 1141, Home energy assistance, passed the Senate 50 – 0 and now returns to the House. The bill was amended to provide for funding of the sales tax through the home mortgage settlement. It is likely that the House will concur with the changes since the sales tax exemption has been extended through 2020.
 
Senator Jean Leising (R – Oldenburg) offered an amendment to HB 1326, Various education matters, in Senate Education Committee which removes the out of state tuition requirement for students who were enrolled in a university when the law changed last year. Last session, the General Assembly passed a bill that requires out of state tuition for resident students who are undocumented but have lived in Indiana most of their life and graduated from Indiana schools. The amendment passed 8 – 2. The amendment also included several other measures that had passed the Senate but did not receive a hearing in the House. The bill will be eligible for second reading amendments next week. We expect amendments to remove the provision dealing with undocumented students. ICC supports the amendment to remove this obstacle for students and opposes attempts to remove it. It will be difficult to maintain this provision when this returns to the House should it make it out of the Senate.
 
Local government reform continues but the bills have slowed down. SB 170 and HB 1005 both provide restrictions regarding nepotism and conflicts of interest for local office holders. Each is poised to pass next week. The bills have been amended but are identical. The HB 1093 dealing with public access of government documents did not receive a hearing in the Senate.  Unless sponsors can find a place for it in another bill during conference committee the issue will have to wait until next session.
 
In addition, HB 1250, State government nepotism passed the Senate 43 – 7. It contains many of same provisions as for local government. It was amended from the House version; it may end up in conference committee next week.
 
 
In addition to the Update, one can obtain more detailed information regarding the bills and detailed information about the legislative process through the ICC Legislative Action Center. Under “policy tools” click on “issues and legislation” and access the state or federal bills by clicking “current legislation”. Also, you can access the archived updates, ICC positions and other background information at the ICC website www.indianacc.org
 

Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops in Indiana regarding state and national matters.

Committees were active this week and several bills are moving through the process. Typically at this time each body makes changes in the other’s bills. Often changes are made by stripping out the original bill and inserting a bill that did not get a hearing in the other house or by adding a bill that did not move before cross-over. For example, SB 15 passed the Senate and deals with traumatic brain injury care; it essentially sets up a study committee to provide a path for this specialized care here in Indiana. Representative Tim Brown (R – Crawfordsville), Chairman of the House Public Health Committee, has proposed an amendment to SB 15 to add his HB 1114, Physician Scope of Treatment form, which was heard but not voted on in January. The amendment is still being worked on and is expected to be voted on next week. ICC is following HB 1114 and now the amendment, for it deals with ethical and moral actions for end of life care. Dr. Brown’s intent is to develop a form that can be reviewed at the next General Assembly. The current amendment establishes the form, but makes its use voluntary.   ICC, along with the medical community is following this closely.
 
Several bills ICC has supported are moving but are changing course and not always as we hoped.
HB 1134, which provides clarity regarding transportation to school of non-public school students, passed the Senate Education Committee but was reassigned to the Senate Appropriations Committee. This means that it must this committee before it can move to the Senate for consideration.   Because the bill also contains a provision regarding bus fleets and transfer of bus replacement funds, it raised some opposition. The transfer of the bill may be an attempt to remove or address these concerns. No one raised issues with the language clarifying transportation of our students but this delay provides another opportunity for problems to arise and for the bill to stall completely.
 
SB 296, which provided an opportunity for current non-public students to access the Scholarship Tax Credit Scholarship program for high school, will receive a hearing on Monday, February 20. However, it is expected that this provision will be removed. Apparently, the House Republican Caucus is unwilling to deal with the school choice issue in any substantive manner. We expect that the bill will be amended to allow for students who have received a scholarship but whose income later exceeds the limits to be eligible again when income drops and the family again qualifies. Under current law, eligibility continues only if the student continuously receives the scholarship after the student qualifies in kindergarten or as a transfer from a public school. ICC sponsored the amendment and supports the initial bill to provide access for our 8th grade students into the program. Keeping the bill moving is needed not only to change the current law, it will allow the 8th grade provision, which passed the Senate, to be eligible for conference committee and possible final passage before the session ends.
 
In some good news
HB 1141, Home energy assistance, passed the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee unanimously on Monday. It was amended to extend the exemption to 2020 rather than for only one year. The change came as proceeds generated from money that is received by the state under a multistate agreement related to litigation concerning mortgage foreclosure will reimburse the state general fund for the amount of state sales tax revenue that was not collected because of the sales tax exemption for home energy acquired through LIHEAP. The bill should pass the Senate next week.
 
SR 9 passed Senate Education Committee 6 – 3. The resolution addresses a problem created by passage of a bill last session that requires undocumented students who have graduated from Indiana schools to pay out of state tuition at state universities. The resolution calls for a study of the impact of this change in policy, not only for the people involved but the cost to the universities and long term costs of the policy. ICC supported the resolution sponsored by Senator Jean Leising (R- Oldenburg). Passage in the Senate will be difficult.
 
Next week is the last week for committees to move bills along. Leadership is proposing that the session end on March 9, a few days before the statutory deadline of Mach 14.
 
Bills that ICC is watching during this week include:
SB 201, Transfer of human organisms, will be heard on Wednesday in the House Public Health Committee. The bill provides for resale of ova for IVF. The bill contains provisions that curtail the use of embryonic stem cell research but the underlying premise of the bill promotes the IVF process which is illicit.
 
SB 72, Abortion matters, provides for regulations regarding chemical abortions. It is in the House Public Policy Committee and we do not expect it to receive a hearing. House leadership does not want another controversial topic. Although it passed the Senate, getting it through conference committee would be very difficult.
 

Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops in Indiana regarding state and national matters.

The St. Luke Christian Social Action Commission invites you to hear the voices of the hungry and those who serve them, exploring what is needed to end hunger, on Saturday, March 3, from 9 AM until 6:30 PM at the Christian Theological Seminary.

Morning sessions feature keynote speaker Dr. Sharon Watkins, General Minister & President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Indy Hunger Network panelists Cindy Hubert (Gleaners), Pat Jerrell (St Vincent de Paul), R Zimmerman (SNAP), Kent Hatcher (DOE), Jennifer Vigran (Second Helpings), Douglas Hairston (Mayor's Office), Orion Bell (CICOA) and Barb Morris (Meals on Wheels). Ambassador Tony Hall (Alliance to End Hunger) and Rev. David Beckmann (Winner of 2011 World Food Prize and President of Bread for the World) will also be presenting. Following afternoon break-out workshop sessions and closing worship with singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomer, the CTS bookstore will host a closing reception and book signing with Rev. Beckman.
For more information on the conference day, you may visit the Indiana Bread for the World website.

The atmosphere of the session has changed dramatically. Now that Right to Work issue is no longer being discussed, the Capitol almost seems empty. But the process on many other bills continues. The Senate has begun the committee process, while the House took this week to decide which committees will handle bills and what the leadership wanted to do with many controversial bills coming from the Senate. One can expect committees to be in action next week on both sides of the Statehouse.
 
Following cross-over legislators look to allies in the other chamber to support their bills and to find ways to provide for measures not passed during the first part of the session. Bills that did not pass either body during the first part of the session are dead, and generally, the topics each deals with are not given an opportunity to be inserted in bills that are still moving. However, there are ways to resurrect some topics into similar bills in the opposite chamber. Hence, legislators often shop for homes for some of their bills. Two such bills, supported by the Conference, are looking for a home. HB 1143, Child and dependent tax credit, authored by Representative John Day (D-Indianapolis) is one, and SB 102, Food stamp assistance after drug conviction, authored by Senator John Broden (D-South Bend), is another. The path is usually difficult and not always successful but the path to becoming law is not easy, and often not a straight line. We will keep you posted.
 
This week Wednesday the Senate Education Committee heard HB 1134 which deals with transportation issues. The bill as written now will clarify Indiana’s law regarding transportation of non-public students to school.  The committee will vote on the bill next week.  Testimony was positive regarding the bill and no questions were raised regarding the transportation of non-public students.
 
Bills expected to receive hearings
SB 72, Abortion matters, attempts to prohibit “telemed” abortions by requiring the doctor to do a physical exam before and after prescribing RU 486. In some states,  prescriptions for RU 486 are provided by doctors via a computer screen from a remote location. The House sponsor is Representative Sue Ellspemann (R-Ferdinand). The bill is in the House Public Policy Committee chaired by Representative Bill Davis (R-Portland).
 
HB 1141, Home energy assistance, exempts state sales tax  allowing all Federal funds to be used for energy assistance.  It is assigned to the Senate Tax and Fiscal Committee chaired by Senator Brandt Hershman (R-Buck Creek). Its sponsors are Senators Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville), John Broden (D-South Bend), and Vi Simpson (D-Bloomington).

Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops in Indiana regarding state and national matters.

New legislation in the State of Indiana (1) establishes a personal income tax deduction for a parent who sends a child to a private school or home-schools the child, and (2) expands the school scholarship credit against personal and corporate income taxes.

The new deduction is equal to $1,000 per dependent child for whom “unreimbursed education expenditures” are made. The term “unreimbursed education expenditures” includes any expenditures made in connection with enrollment, attendance or participation of the taxpayer’s dependent child in a private elementary or high school education program (including a home school).  It includes expenditures for tuition, fees, computer software, textbooks, workbooks, curricula, school supplies (other than personal computers) and other written materials used primarily for academic instruction or for academic tutoring, or both.

The deduction applies to taxable years beginning in 2011 and thereafter. School families will need our school code (C435) for your tax forms. More information is available here. However, we suggest, as always, that you  seek the advice of a tax professional when preparing your return.

St. Luke Finance Council

The Federal government has taken actions that strike at the heart of Rights of Conscience and Religious Liberty in the U.S.
 
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services  (HHS) has issued a rule forcing nearly all private health plans to include coverage for all FDA-approved prescription contraceptive drugs and devices, as well as surgical sterilization. These are listed among "preventive services for women" that all health plans will have to cover without co-pays or other cost-sharing -- regardless of whether the insurer, the employer or other plan sponsor, or even the woman herself objects to such coverage.
 
The exemption provided for "religious employers" is so narrow that it fails to cover the vast majority of faith-based organizations, including Catholic hospitals, universities, and service organizations that help millions every year. Ironically, not even Jesus and his disciples would have qualified. During the public comment period last fall, the bishops' grassroots campaign alone generated over 57,000 comments to HHS opposing their mandate.
 
Now that the Administration has refused to recognize the Constitutional conscience rights of organizations and individuals who oppose the mandate, the bishops are now urging Catholics and others of good will to fight this unprecedented attack on conscience rights and religious liberty.
 
All are asked to inform themselves of the problem and to help other know about and understand it.  An action alert will be forthcoming as a first step but not the last.
 
We offer the following documents that provide background:   Preventive Services Background and Preventive Q & A ;  and  this link will provide further information.

Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops in Indiana regarding state and national matters.
 

Despite the delays and protests during the session, the General Assembly has completed its work on time for the first half. Fewer bills were considered in the House than might otherwise have been passed, but major issues such as Right to Work, smoking ban, local government reforms such as nepotism, conflict of interest and public access all passed the House. The Senate passed most of these and many others. With crossover complete, legislators are set to consider bills from the other Chamber beginning next week.
 
HB 1134, Various education matters, which includes the language to transport students attending a non-public school to a point where they can safely walk to school, passed the House 92 – 2.
 
HB 1141, Home energy assistance, passed the House 94 – 0. However, it is limited to restoring the sales tax exemption, which expired in 2009, for home energy acquired through LIHEAP after June 30, 2012, and before July 1, 2013. While the original bill would have extended this exemption indefinitely and provided funding for hook- up costs, this can be revived again during the regular budgetary session next year. The lost sales tax revenue is between 3.7 and 4.4 million; with the exemption this amount will be available to help elderly, disabled and young children in need of assistance. All funding comes from a Federal grant.
 
SB 72, Abortion matters, was amended on second reading to limit its effect to physicians who practice and prescribe RU486 at abortion clinics. It also made changes in keeping with the levels and dosages currently used by physicians, which are lower than authorized by FDA. The bill continues to provide for informed consent and follow-up care. The bill passed the Senate 36 – 0.
 
SB 296, Certified scholarship program eligibility, passed the Senate without amendment 34 - 16. The bill will provide eligibility for families currently enrolled in Catholic schools to access tax credit scholarship funds provided by a Scholarship Granting Organization. This program was created in 2009 to help lower income families access non-public schools. The bill will assist families in meeting tuition for high school by providing edibility for students enrolled in grade 8.
 
SB 201, Transfer of human organisms, passed the Senate 47 – 3 but was not amended to restrict the number of embryos created at one time for a woman. The bill does provide some restrictions on the use of the ova and prohibits the use of embryos for embryonic stem cell research. Thus, it has some positive features but it also supports the IVF process, which is morally illicit. The bill allows a fertility clinic to store and then resell ova to its clients.
 
Bills dealing with local government reform kept moving
SB 170 and HB 1105, both dealing with nepotism and conflict of interest, passed each body with wide margins. The bills prohibit direct supervision of relatives and prohibit employees from serving on governing bodies of the unit of government in which they are employed.
HB 1093 provides for public access to government information and provide for fines of officials who deliberately violate public access laws. It passed 90 – 4.
SB 174, Local government reorganization, passed 40 – 10. The bill makes changes in procedures that allow local people to change the structure of county/city government, including townships.
Bills dealing with specific township government reforms did not receive hearings and are dead for the session.
 
Other bills moving on in the process

HB 1107, Drug testing, will establish a pilot program in three counties to require drug testing of TANF recipients. It also will require legislators to be drug tested and provides for random tests of legislators during the session with some exemptions.
 
HB 1149, Smoking ban, passed 62 – 35; it provides for a ban on smoking in work places including bars but grants exemptions including private clubs and casinos.
 
SB 83, Cursive writing, will mandate cursive writing instruction on public schools and accredited non-public schools. It passed 45 – 5.
 
SB 89, Creation science, passed 28 – 22; it provides that a school corporation may require the teaching of various theories concerning the origin of life, including creation science, within the school corporation.
 
SB 344, State taxation, passed the Senate 28 – 20; it contains many tax issues relating to economic development and also a provision that all tax credits are to be studied during the interim of 2012 and 2013 sessions. ICC requested the study rather than the initial proposal to sun-set all tax credits in 2016.
 
Most of the bills introduced this session are now dead since they did not pass the first house. Among these are bills ICC supported or followed such as HB 1143, Child and dependent tax credit; HB 1114, physician scope of treatment form; SB 102, food stamp assistance after drug conviction; SB 198, Choice scholarship eligibility, SB 331, also dealing with eligibility for choice scholarships.
 

Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops

in Indiana regarding state and national matters.
 

President Focuses on Employment in State of the Union
 
In his third State of the Union address last Tuesday night, President Obama recapped a tumultuous year on Capitol Hill and laid out his proposals for 2012, calling on Congress to work with him to increase employment and stimulate the economy. Obama highlighted new partnerships that are helping retrain workers for new jobs, saying “It’s time to turn our unemployment system into a reemployment system that puts people to work.”
 
Entitled “An America Built to Last,” the President’s 64-minute address also touched on a number of other issues, including his hopes that Congress would pass legislation that provided a path to citizenship for those who were brought to the country illegally. In a statement issued in response to the President’s speech, Catholic Charities USA’s President, Fr. Larry Snyder, said it was heartening to hear “the initiatives outlined by President Obama in this evening's State of the Union speech that have the potential to improve the lives of many.” However, Fr. Snyder added, “we need comprehensive reform of the nation’s service delivery system that is market driven, results oriented and locally controlled, enabling the country to permanently make a difference in the lives of those living in poverty, and establishing accountability for the investment of taxpayer dollars.” For the complete response from CCUSA to the State of the Union, please click here.
 
 
Catholic Charities USA Responds to HHS Decision
 
On Friday, January 20, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a decision that will require faith-based institutions such as hospitals, charities, and schools to provide women’s health coverage that includes contraception, sterilization, and abortifacient drugs. While the administration had been petitioned to not include religious health plans in their regulations, the decision could require religious institutions to provide health care coverage that violates their beliefs.
 
In response, Fr. Larry Snyder released a statement on behalf of the Catholic Charities network. “Catholic Charities agencies are first and foremost Catholic institutions - a manifestation of the Gospel call for charity and justice for all people.   As such, remaining faithful to Catholic teaching is not a matter of choice, rather it is essential to our identity.  With the existing restrictive definition in this mandate, the ministry of Jesus Christ himself would not be considered a religious entity.” To read the statement in its entirety, please click here.
 
For more information on the HHS regulation, its impact on our network, or Catholic Charities’ response, please contact Candy Hill, Sr. Vice-President of Social Policy & Government Affairs, at chill@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
 
 
House Disapproves of Debt Limit Increase
 
In other news from Capitol Hill, the Senate voted to reject consideration of a joint resolution that would have blocked President Obama’s request to increase federal borrowing, which will allow the way for a $1.2 trillion increase in the nation’s debt ceiling. Earlier in the week, the House voted 239-176 largely along party lines to prevent President Obama from raising the debt limit. The largely symbolic vote provides opponents of the August debt limit deal another chance to disapprove of the administration’s fiscal policies. The $1.2 trillion increase is the third in a multiple-stage process for raising the debt put in place by Congress.
 
For more information on upcoming legislation, please contact Ron Jackson, Sr. Director of Government Affairs, at RJackson@CatholicCharitesUSA.org
 
 
“Keep the Dream Alive Mass” Honors Memory of Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
 
On the holiday that commemorates his life, Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington helped keep the dream of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., alive through prayer, service, and song. On Monday, January 16, CCUSA held the “Keep the Dream Alive” Mass and Award Ceremony, honoring three contemporary heroes who have worked to realize King’s vision of nation free of injustice.
 
CCUSA presented “Keep the Dream Alive” awards to USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon, former Washington, D.C., Mayor Anthony Williams, and former CCUSA Board Member Janet Pape for their advocacy and work to reduce poverty. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington’s “Faith Does Justice” Award was presented to local television anchor Andrea Roane.
 
Following the event, more than 50 individuals volunteered with women who reside at the Harriet Tubman Women’s Emergency Shelter in southeast D.C.  Volunteers worked one-on-one with women on an art project designed to allow clients to express their dreams and what Dr. King means to them. For more information on the Keep the Dream Alive Mass and Awards, please contact Ron Jackson, Sr. Director of Government Affairs, at RJackson@CatholicCharitesUSA.org

***
Washington Weekly
is a publication of the Social Policy Department of Catholic Charities USA
and is published regularly when Congress is in session.
Catholic Charities USA
Sixty-Six Canal Center Plaza, Suite 600, Alexandria, VA 22314

The big issue was finally moved in the House and the Senate. HB 1001 and SB 269 both passed the respective bodies. Now the House may be able to handle many other significant issues that have been delayed until Right to Work was settled. The next step in this issue will be passage of the House bill in the Senate prior to it going to the Governor for signature. Look for it to be expedited in the Senate.
 
This being the last week for committee action (unless the House suspends rules and extends the deadline) committees were active amending and moving bills to the floor. Next week all bills need to move to the other body to be eligible for further consideration this session.
 
SB 72, Abortion matters, sponsored by Senator Travis Holdman (R – Markle) passed Senate Health Committee 6 -4. The bill’s focus is chemical abortions (RU486) which are on the rise in Indiana. The bill attempts to put limits on its use by requiring an in-person examination of the woman by the physician prior to providing the prescription. The bill may undergo some modifications on second reading to accommodate the developments in the use of the drugs. The bill is an attempt to get ahead of what is happening in some states, where doctors talk to women via electronic connections and provide the prescription for the drug without examining the woman. ICC supports the bill.
 
SB 201, Transfer of human organism exemption, was amended in committee before passing unanimously. It was amended to prohibit the use of the ova and embryos for stem cell research. Also, the bill amends Indiana’s law to prohibit embryo research permitted under Federal law. ICC supported the amendment. The bill now goes to 2nd reading. ICC continues to seek an amendment that would limit the number of embryo created at one time for each woman.  The bill now moves to the floor for amendments and vote next week.
 
While three bills were heard in Senate Education Committee only one will make its way to the Senate for further consideration. SB 296, sponsored by Senator Jean Leising (R – Oldenburg), passed the committee 7 – 3 after being amended to restrict 8th grade students to the Scholarship Tax credit only, instead of allowing them access to the voucher program as originally intended. The bill provides another entry point for the Tax Credit Scholarship for current non-public students who are enrolled in grade 8. This will provide the possibility for additional support to qualified families for high school tuition. The bill now goes to the Senate for possible amendment and vote next week.
 
The other school choice bills, SB 198, sponsored by Senator Doug Eckerty (R – Yorktown), which would have expanded the voucher program to include all eligible families and SB 331, sponsored by Senator Carlin Yoder (R – Indianapolis), which would have expanded it to siblings of current voucher students, both contained fiscal obligations that required them to be recommitted to Senate Appropriations, where they will not get a hearing; the bills are dead for this session. SB 198 passed the Education Committee 5 – 4 but will go no further this year. SB 331 was withdrawn when it was apparent that the bill would not have an opportunity to move.
 
During House Education Committee consideration of HB 1134, Representative Bob Behning (R – Indianapolis) added the amendment requested by ICC that provides clarification to existing Indiana law regarding transportation of students to Catholic schools. HB 1134 now goes to the House for amendment and vote. The amendment would provide that school districts take the students to the non-public school or to a point from which the student can safely walk to the school. ICC made the same request in a bill in the Senate, SB 226, but committee chair Senator Luke Kenley (R – Noblesville) did not allow the amendment.
 
In other good news
SB 4, Human trafficking, should pass third reading today, becoming law before the Super Bowl.
 
House Ways and Means Committee unanimously passed HB 1141, Home energy assistance. The bill is now eligible for consideration and passage. HB 1141 will provide additional assistance to the low income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP) by restoring the sales tax exemption for energy consumption paid for through Federal assistance.  The bill also provides that money attributable to a utility deposit or refund that remains unclaimed after 25 years can now be used to pay utility deposits and connection fees charged to households eligible to acquire home energy through LIHEAP.  ICC supports this bill as it will utilize all Federal funds for the purpose for which they were granted instead of taking 7% for sales tax. Also, it will put to good use funds that are no longer needed for other purposes.
 
Senator Brandt Hershman (R – Buck Creek) amended SB 344, State taxation, as requested by ICC and many other organizations. The bill now requires the commission on state tax and financing policy to review all tax credits during the 2012 and 2013 legislative interims. Reviewing and determining the value of the policies before sun-setting them is more prudent. The bill contains many other tax credits and tax matters also.
 
As expected, HB 1114, Physician orders for scope of treatment form, was heard in House Public Health Committee but no vote was taken. The committee heard support for the concept and its need, but the circumstances regarding its use and the complexity dealing with the legal, medical and ethical issues need time to be worked through. ICC supports taking time to be sure the form provides for proper moral as well as legal and medical use.
 
In addition to the Update, one can obtain more detailed information regarding the bills and detailed information about the legislative process through the ICC Legislative Action Center. Under “policy tools” click on “issues and legislation” and access the state or federal bills by clicking “current legislation”. Also, you can access the archived updates, ICC positions and other background information at the ICC website www.indianacc.org.

Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops in Indiana regarding state and national matters.

As you now know, on January 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reaffirmed the rule first issued last August that virtually all private health care plans must cover sterilization, abortifacients, and contraception. Non-profit religious employers that do not now provide such coverage, and are not exempt under the rule's extremely narrow definition of religious employer, are given one year to comply.
 
Responding to the announcement, Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, stated: "In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences." Cardinal-designate Dolan urged that the HHS mandate be overturned. See: www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-012.cfm.
 
A first step is to continue to urge Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467). This measure will ensure that those who participate in the health care system "retain the right to provide, purchase, or enroll in health coverage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions."
 
NCHLA's Action Alert on this bill has been updated. Please see: nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp?ID=292.

For more information related to the HHS mandate, see: www.usccb.org/conscience.
 
Excerpted from an email from Michael Taylor, Excecutive Director, National Committee for a Human Life Amendment, Inc.

The House continues its inability to move bills on the floor but committees are meeting preparing bills to be ready when the stalemate ends. Meanwhile, the Senate continues moving bills on the floor as well as in committees.
 
Senator Brandt Hershman (R – Buck Creek) has introduced SB 433 which proposes sun setting all tax credits. The bill was heard in the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee but no vote was taken. It will be voted on next week. ICC is concerned about the approach to sun-set all credits at once, and sun-setting them without a review to determine if they should be. Many tax credits such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Scholarship Tax Credit and Neighborhood Tax Credit benefit low income people and are achieving their purpose of helping families and the common good. We expect an amendment that may call for periodic review, which we support.
 
Senate Health Committee heard SB 201, Transfer of human organism exemption, on Wednesday. Senator Patricia Miller’s (R- Indianapolis) intent in sponsoring the bill is to reduce the number of embryos created during the in-vitro process. However, the bill as introduced only provided a means for a fertility clinic to buy ova and freeze them, allowing them to re-sell to infertile women. In addition to objecting to the process, ICC raised concerns about the expanded commercialization of this industry and sale of human organisms. Moreover, there were no restrictions on the number of embryos created at one time, nor restrictions regarding their use. Senator Miller held the bill and will work on amendments. It may be voted on next week.
 
Another health related bill will be heard in the House Public Health Committee on Monday, January 23. HB 1114, Physician order for scope of treatment form, is sponsored by Representative Tim Brown, (R – Crawfordsville) who is a physician. The bill’s objective is to replace current law regarding Do Not Resuscitate Orders for terminally ill patients.  It has been brought forward by many in the medical field, yet it is complex and with medical, ethical and legal aspects. Many, including ICC,  are working to ensure that the form meets Catholic principles regarding end of life and medical care. The author may only want to air the reasons and concerns surrounding the issue rather than move the bill at this time.
 
Due to fiscal constraints of the property tax caps, some suburban school districts have stopped or severely cut back on transporting students to school. In addition, several districts have eliminated bus transportation for students in Catholic schools. In some instances, the district will pick up the child but only transport them to a public school and not take them to the Catholic school. State law requires the public school district to take the child to the non-public school or the nearest and most easily accessible point to the non-public school;  but at least one district believes this point is miles away. In effect, this eliminates bus service for our students. We are asking lawmakers to clarify the law and have asked for amendments in SB 226 and HB 1134, which deal with school transportation issues. The amendment would require the bus to drop the students within safe walking distance to the Catholic school.  Senate Appropriations Committee held SB 226 for amendments until next week.  HB 1134 will be heard in House Education Committee Friday morning January 20.
 
Three bills all related to school choice will be addressed in Senate Education Committee on Wednesday next week.  Last year’s school scholarship (voucher) law excluded currently enrolled students. SB 198 by Senator Doug Eckerty (R – Yorktown) would provide eligibility for all students whose family’s income meets the requirements for the voucher. Another bill, SB 331 authored by Senator Carlin Yoder (R – Indianapolis), seeks to provide eligibility to siblings of students who do qualify.  Under current law, younger children would have to go to a public school for Grade 1 before being eligible. This bill would provide an exemption for these children. Senator Jean Leising’s (R – Oldenburg) bill, SB 296, would make students in grade 8, enrolled in Catholic and other non-public schools eligible for the Tax Credit Scholarship. Presently, current students are ineligible for this program; but this bill would provide another entry point and would then make these students eligible for scholarships to attend a non-public or Catholic high school. Due to fiscal considerations, it may be difficult to move these bills this year. However, getting the issues discussed, paves the way for the topics in the coming sessions.
 
SB 4, Human Trafficking passed the Senate and as expected is being expedited in the House. It is scheduled for a hearing in the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee on Friday, January 20. If the House convenes, it will be given priority for a vote in order for it to become law prior to the Super Bowl.
 
Many bills which passed committee are awaiting disposition in the House because they do not have a quorum. Until the right to work standoff is resolved, bills continue to stack up awaiting further action.  Time is running out, according to the published schedule. Both bodies initially set next week as the end of committee hearings and set the last days of January for bills to pass the first house. As last year proved, the schedule can be adjusted. But this year also provides a shorter timeframe for the session; it must end no later than March 14. We expect some late days should the House Democrats return and many bills will fall through the cracks if the original schedule is kept.
 
In addition to the Update, one can obtain more detailed information regarding the bills and detailed information about the legislative process through the ICC Legislative Action Center. Under “policy tools” click on “issues and legislation” and access the state or federal bills by clicking “current legislation”. Also, you can access the archived updates, ICC positions and other background information at the ICC web site, www.indianacc.org

Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops in Indiana regarding state and national matters.
 

The stalemate in the House of Representatives has come to a close, at least temporarily. The leadership of both parties has agreed to move HB 1001, Employee’s Right to Work, next week. The issue has caused a two week delay in moving other bills along the process. The Conference has not taken a position on the bill or its counterpart in the Senate, SB 269. The issue involves balancing several moral principles such as the dignity of the person, a just wage, and rights of conscience and association. Last month the Bishops released a statement outlining the principles involved and asking all to thoughtfully dialogue how best to apply them in this policy debate. One can access the statement here. The Senate’s bill, SB 269, is scheduled for second reading next week also.
 
Despite the slowdown in the House, the Senate is moving bills. One bill that passed unanimously was SB 4, Human Trafficking. ICC supports the bill. It increases the penalties and expands the definition of human trafficking beyond the current definition to include participating in sexual conduct (in addition to prostitution). It also adds a special category for children under 16. The effort is to create the law prior to the Super Bowl since this type of activity has been known to exist with other Super Bowl venues. The bill is authored by Senator Randy Head (R -Logansport) but is co-sponsored by a bi-partisan group of half the Senators.
 
In order for this to be law prior to the Super Bowl, the House will have to pass the bill also.  While it is unusual for bills from the other chamber to be considered before cross-over, it is possible and it is expected that it will pass the House soon. Another bill expected to see early action in both bodies before the Super Bowl is the Smoking ban, HB 1149, authored by Representative Eric Turner (R – Cicero). It passed the House Health Committee this week on a 9 – 3 bipartisan vote.
 
ICC is following approximately 100 bills, but most will not receive a hearing. Below are some of the more salient bills which ICC supports and hope will move during this short session.
 
HB 1214 and SB 282, Abortion inducing drugs, are attempts to regulate drugs such as RU 486. At this time, surgical abortion is regulated to ensure the safety of the women and to ensure that women know the consequences and risks of their decision.  However, there are no regulations governing abortion providers who dispense these drugs. Moreover, in some instances this can be done without even an examination. The bill sponsors are Representatives Sue Ellspermann (R- Ferdinand) and Steve Davission (R – Salem) and Senator Greg Walker (R – Columbus).
 
Another abortion related bill, authored by Representative Davission, is HB 1014, Health Care profession conscience clause. It provides  that a health care professional may not be required to dispense a drug or medical device if the health care professional believes the drug or medical device would be used to: (1) cause an abortion; (2) destroy an unborn child; or (3) cause the death of a person by means of assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing.
 
HB 1143, Child and dependent tax credit, authored by Representative John Day (D – Indianapols), would provide a state tax credit for families with child and dependent care expense. It would allow 50% of the federal tax credit. The program would provide real support to working families struggling to meet its other obligations.  The bill limits eligibility to families with adjusted gross income below $45,000.
 
Senator John Broden (D – South Bend) is authoring SB 102, Food stamp assistance after drug conviction; it would remove the prohibition of persons convicted of drug offense from receiving food stamps. The problem is that this prohibition also punishes those associated with the person such as children and those who have turned their lives around. The bill would grant eligibility to those who have not been convicted of another drug offense in the previous five years before applying for food stamps to receive food stamps. It would also allow those who have a conviction in the last five years but who are receiving specified treatment and drug and alcohol testing to receive food stamps.
 
On the education front there are attempts to broaden eligibility for the school voucher program. SB 198 would provide eligibility to all who are income eligible; it would make current Catholic school families eligible. And SB 331 would provide eligibility for older siblings in families who receive a voucher. Currently, an older student already in the non-public school is not eligible for assistance even though the younger child is.
 
And, SB 296 would expand eligibility for the Scholarship Tax Credit program to all students in grade 8 currently enrolled in a non-public school. Present law prohibits current non-public students, not previously receiving a STC scholarship, from being eligible.
 
In addition to the Update, one can obtain more detailed information regarding the bills and detailed information about the legislative process through the ICC Legislative Action Center. Under “policy tools” click on “issues and legislation” and access the state or federal bills by clicking “current legislation”. Also, you can access the archived updates, ICC positions and other background information at the ICC web site, www.indianacc.org

Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops in Indiana regarding state and national matters.



 

Sunday, January 22, the St. Luke Knights of Columbus will have a “Pancakes-n-More” Breakfast after the 7:30 and 9:00 AM Masses in the St. Luke Parish Hall. Tickets can be purchased on-line by clicking here and are: $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 6 to 12, with a maximum of $20 per family. Children under 6 are free!

Breakfast will include: biscuits and sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage links, coffee, and orange juice. Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the 8th grade Washington DC class trip.

This week (January 9-14), the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates National Vocation Awareness Week. We ask you to join us in prayer for those considering a vocation in becoming a deacon, priest, religious sister, married or single person. We offer the following prayer that can be said through the week of vocation awareness:
 
God of Love, You call us to live in your love through the grace of our baptism.  Bless us with the courage to carry out the mission of Jesus. Grant us open and generous hearts to see the needs of others and to respond with compassion. May the Church be blest with women and men who are dedicated to you through marriage, the single life, the diaconate, priesthood, and the consecrated life. It is in Christ and through Christ that we offer ourselves to you now and forever. Amen.

The Prayer Chain is made up of parish members who pray for those in need of prayer as requested. Prayers may be offered as intentions in daily prayer, intentions in daily or weekly Mass, when praying the Rosary, in visiting the Adoration Chapel, in the offering of extra works of mercy, or any prayerful activity that individual members of the group desire. Click here if you would like to join this important ministry!

The 2012 General Assembly convened on Wednesday, January 4 but it felt like 2011 again. The Right to Work issue is again dominating the session and Democrat caucus in the House is again using a delaying tactic to keep the House of Representatives from conducting business. By denying a quorum this effectively stops the House from filing and moving bills along the process. Thus far, they have been able to stop HB 1001 Employee’s Right to Work from first reading and therefore from committee passing it for further consideration. But this will not stop the Labor Committee from taking testimony on the bill on Friday.
 
Meanwhile in the Senate, with a quorum proof majority of Republicans, is continuing with the process of filing bills and committee hearings. The Labor and Pensions Committee will conduct a joint meeting with the House to consider the Right to Work legislation; their version, SB 269, is identical to the House bill. There is no certainty as to when the standoff will end or in what manner. But, unlike last year, it is unlikely that there will be a concession to not move the bill. The leadership in the Senate and House, as well as the Governor, is committed to moving the bill. The Democrats are hoping that enough time may convince some of the Republican support to weaken. Stay tuned.
 
Another topic with high priority for the Governor and legislators is local government reform. This topic has been debated for a couple of sessions and it came close to passing last year. This year’s version, HB 1005 and SB 170, is much like last year’s end product; it focuses on nepotism and conflicts of interest and does not tackle the broader structural concern of townships and trustees. The bill prohibits employees from being officials of governing or executive bodies and provides for guidelines and disclosure regarding contracts with companies who are connected to local officials. The nepotism issue provides some exemptions for current employees and for the office of coroner and sheriff’s jail matron and trustees with offices in their home. HB 1005 was heard on Thursday but no vote was taken, despite a bi-partisan quorum. Most groups and persons testifying were supportive. There was concern expressed regarding the small, rural counties that do not have as many qualified persons to fill positions. Some wanted to allow each county/office to establish its own nepotism policy.
 
The delaying tactics may cause some changes in the short session calendar. But at this point all bills are expected to clear the first house by end of January. The session itself must end by March 15. The schedule limits the number of bills members can file and the number that will actually get a hearing. Not all bills are yet available. But, in addition to local government reform and right to work, we expect bills dealing with chemical abortions, child care tax credits, education polices, health care and charity gaming to name a few topics. The conference is already tracking around 50 bills, with more to come.
 
In addition to the Update, one can obtain more detailed information regarding the bills and detailed information about the legislative process through the ICC Legislative Action Center. Under “policy tools” click on “issues and legislation” and access the state or federal bills by clicking “current legislation”. Also, you can access the archived updates, ICC positions and other background information at the ICC web site, www.indianacc.org

Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops in Indiana regarding state and national matters.

A Message from the USCCB dated December 21, 2011
 
Call your representatives now and urge them to protect unemployed workers and their families by extending emergency unemployment programs! The House of Representatives will vote TODAY or TOMORROW on a package that includes unemployment programs.

Current Situation
Unless Congress extends emergency unemployment programs, in two weeks many unemployed workers throughout the country and their families will lose the basic income security that is provided to them through their unemployment benefits.

USCCB Position/Church Teaching
Church teaching is clear: during times of economic pain and high unemployment, there is a moral obligation to ensure unemployed workers and their families have a basic level of security. Last week, Bishop Stephen Blaire, Chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, wrote to Members of Congress to urge them to extend unemployment benefits. The full text of the letter can be found here: http://bit.ly/rCDRGj.


Thank you for taking action!



 

Christmas Eve, December 24

4:00 PM      Vigil Mass

4:15 PM      Vigil Mass in South Gym

7:00 PM      Vigil Mass

Midnight     Mass at midnight preceded at 11:30 PM by musical prelude

Christmas, December 25

10:00 AM    Christmas Day Mass

Ongoing Debate Over Unemployment Insurance and Payroll Taxes
 
As Congress prepares to wind things down for the end of the year, the House and Senate still had some unfinished business to take care of heading into their final week of work for 2011.
 
Earlier last week, President Obama and the Democrats proposed a plan to extend the expiring payroll tax cut and extend long-term unemployment benefits. The bill, Senate Bill 1944, would have reduced the employee share of the Social Security payroll to tax to 3.1 percent for 2012, and put up for a vote on Thursday afternoon. It failed to receive the requisite votes to break a filibuster.
 
On Friday, Republican leadership released a competing proposal, tying the lowering of the payroll tax – a Democrat priority – with Republican policy preferences, such as the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. The bill would be paid for by savings from programs related to the implementation of the 2010 Affordable Care Act. However, it is unclear if the Republican-sponsored bill would be signed by President Obama, who has vowed to veto a bill with policy riders.
 
The bill will likely be voted on in the House tomorrow, and it remains to be seen whether Senate Democrats will sign on to pass the bill if it does clear the House. Catholic Charities USA will continue to monitor this situation, and encourages you to contact Patrick Brown, Manager, Strategic Initiatives, at PBrown@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org for more information.
 
 
 
Congress Continues to Attempt to Pass “Megabus” Spending Package
 
With the current funding scheduled to expire on December 16, appropriators in Congress are working to not only avoid a government shutdown, but also looking to avoid another Continuing Resolution (CR.) Congress is hoping to fund the government by passing a ‘Megabus’ spending bill that would complete work on the remaining nine overdue spending bills for fiscal year 2012.
 
By passing a ‘Megabus’ on the remaining bills, Congress would avoid another continuing resolution which has become the predominant way the Federal government has been funded in a period of political gridlock. If the conference committee cannot come to an agreement on the Labor-HHS bill (HR 3070), Interior-Environment (HR 2584) and Financial Services (HR 2434) then the only solution would be another CR which would probably run until Congress returns from the Holiday recess after the New Year.
 
The House is aiming to adjourn for the year on December 16, 2011, while the Senate target date is still up in the air. For more information, please contact Ron Jackson, Senior Director, Government Affairs, at RJackson@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
 
 
Register now for 2012 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering
 
Registration is now open for the 2012 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, which will take place on February 12-15, 2012 in Washington, DC. Connect in person with Catholic social ministry leaders from across the United States. Exciting plenary presentations, briefings, workshops, and strategy sessions will focus on Faithful Citizenship and other important topics, and will better prepare you and your colleagues for the challenges and opportunities of the election year. Visit www.USCCB.org for more information, or to complete early registration by December 23, 2011.
 
***
Washington Weekly is a publication of the Social Policy Department of Catholic Charities USA
and is published regularly when Congress is in session.

Last week, we made a plea for additional help to deliver Thanksgiving Baskets. There was such a generous outpouring of spirit that we have received more than enough help to deliver our 130 Thanksgiving Baskets!

On behalf of the Christian Social Action Commission, thank you for your help during this holiday season!

The Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops in Indiana regarding state and national matter.
 
The Indiana General Assembly will be convening later this month. The 2012 session begins with Organization Day on November 22. This day is primarily ceremonial and sets in motion the structure and organization for the session. Bills will be drafted and caucuses will begin strategy in order to hit the ground running in January. 2012 is the short session, which means it has to end by March 15; this year also the session will be interrupted by the Super Bowl.  With a hiatus in the middle of the session, it will impact the number and scope of bills each chamber considers.
 
Because of the shortened nature of the session, we are not expecting as much substantive legislation as was passed last year. However, it will be important to protect what was accomplished, particularly the landmark voucher bill. It is important that legislators hear from constituents that the efforts to pass this law are appreciated. And Thanksgiving time, when the General Assembly convenes is an appropriate moment to tell them. Please take a minute to contact your legislator and let them know that the Choice Scholarship and the Scholarship Tax Credit Scholarship programs are valued and appreciated.
 
This link:  Contact your legislator will allow you to contact both your State Representative and State Senator to thank them and to let them know that these programs make a difference in the lives of many and benefit all Hoosiers.
 
While substantive education legislation is not expected, we do expect a controversial issue to be a focal point this session – Right to Work. This issue caused the walkout by Democrats last session and is likely to make sparks fly again this time. It was eventually removed last session but an interim committee recommended that it return for consideration in 2012. It will dominate the session and control the fate of many other bills.
 
We do expect legislation surrounding other social and pro-life topics. ICC will again be involved and providing an opportunity for you to be involved as well. I-CAN Updates will be published each week beginning in January until the session’s conclusion. And we invite you to take part though the Legislative Action Center on our webpage. The Church speaks through its teaching and officials and even more effectively when faithful Catholics engage in the process. Thanks for taking an interest and doing your part.


 

Thanksgiving Sharing is one of our oldest and most treasured social action ministries at Saint Luke. Our Commission helps those less fortunate by preparing and delivering 130 baskets of food, including a turkey and "all the trimmings."

We Need Your Help.

Parishioners will gather on Sunday, November 20, to assemble the non-perishable food products in large cardboard boxes after the 11:30 AM Mass in the Parish Hall.

Then, on Tuesday, November 22,  your help is need to place turkeys into the boxes and load the baskets into cars for distribution.

Of course, we also need your help as volunteers to deliver the boxes to the recipients on November 20.

Interested in joining our group? Just click here!

Interested in purchasing a basket for a family in need? Click here to buy a basket.

For more information, please contact the coordinator, Denise Purdie-Andrews.

Contact the members of the Deficit "Super Committee" using the links provided at the bottom of this Alert.  Tell them that rising poverty at home and abroad requires them to protect programs that serve poor and vulnerable people.  Also contact your members of Congress by using this link.  
 
CURRENT SITUATION: The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction ("Super Committee") could finalize its plan soon to reduce the federal deficit by $1.5 trillion over the next ten years. The Super Committee needs to vote on a report to be presented to the House and Senate by November 23rd.  But, an agreement needs to be reached soon in order to meet that deadline. If no agreement is reached, automatic across-the-board cuts will go into effect in 2013. Many programs that serve poor and vulnerable people at home and abroad are in danger of receiving devastating and disproportionate cuts.
 
The bishops recently acknowledged that reducing future unsustainable deficits is important, and reminded the Super Committee that their decisions are "profoundly moral, and they have enormous human consequences." They offered several criteria to help guide difficult budgetary decisions. Read the letter here.
 
CHURCH TEACHING: Archbishop Timothy Dolan, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), recently highlighted the urgency of poverty in America in a letter to his brother bishops, saying, "Widespread unemployment, underemployment and pervasive poverty are diminishing human lives, undermining human dignity, and hurting children and families. I hope we can use our opportunities as pastors, teachers, and leaders to focus public attention and priority on the scandal of so much poverty and so many without work in our society."
 
Bishop Howard Hubbard, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace, and Ken Hackett, President of Catholic Relief Services, wrote the Senate noting that cuts to poverty-focused international assistance will cost lives. This aid, which is less than one percent of the federal budget, feeds millions of people, helps subsistence farmers grow more food, provides HIV/AIDS medicines and vaccines to prevent disease, and supports orphans, victims of natural disasters, and refugees fleeing for their lives.
 
USCCB has also developed a website that serves as a clearinghouse for resources about U.S. poverty and another site on global poverty.

Contact House Members Now
 
Contact Senate Members Now



 

This weekend, November 5th and 6th, is First Sunday Sharing at St. Luke. As usual, we will be collecting non-perishable food and men's clothing to help the homeless of our city. Volunteers help distribute these items to the Beggars for the Poor and the Saint Vincent de Paul food pantry at neighboring St. Thomas Aquinas Parish.

But we will also have a special collection of baby wipes for the children at our parish partner, Holy Family Shelter.  Each year Holy Family Shelter serves more than 300 homeless families, including more than 600 homeless children. The Shelter, located at 30 East Palmer, serves married couples with or without children, single parents with children, and single pregnant women.

Please bring boxes of baby wipes to the narthex this weekend to help this marvelous ministry.

In the weeks and months ahead, you will be hearing much more about Holy Family Shelter and its ministries, and our children and adults will have the opportunity to volunteer in a variety of projects and programs at the Shelter as we continue to develop our parish partnership with this vital Catholic Charities agency

Thank you and God bless!

It is anticipated that the House will take up H.R. 358 during the week of October 11. Please act today!

The health care reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), was signed into law in 2010. On January 20, 2011, Reps. Joseph Pitts (R-PA) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL) introduced the Protect Life Act (H.R. 358) to bring PPACA into line with policies on abortion and conscience rights existing in other federal health programs. Later, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced the companion bill in the Senate (S. 877).

In the House, Committee consideration of H.R. 358 is completed. House floor action is scheduled for the week of October 11. Please urge your Representative to support H.R. 358 on the floor and to oppose any hostile weakening amendments.

In a letter to the House of Representatives, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, urged Members to support the Protect Life Act, which will do the following:

• Ensure that all PPACA funds are covered by the policy of the longstanding Hyde Amendment (no funds for abortion except in cases of life endangerment or rape/incest).
• Prevent federal funds from subsidizing health plans that cover abortions beyond the Hyde exceptions, so that PPACA will follow the policy of other federal health insurance programs.
• Uphold rights of conscience related to abortion, ensuring that governmental entities receiving federal funds under PPACA will not discriminate against health care providers who decline involvement in abortion.
• Close a loophole in PPACA’s non-preemption clause, so that state laws restricting abortion or protecting conscience rights will not be preempted, and states will not be able to override PPACA’s provisions ensuring that health plans without elective abortion are available in each state.
   

25,00 high school youth will be coming to Indianapolis November 17-19, 2011, to participate in the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) at the Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium.

We are asking for your help by volunteering to keep our youth safe and shower them with Hoosier Hospitality. Our shifts are two to four hours in length in a variety of areas.

More information and sign-up is located at www.archindy.org. Click on the Called to Glory icon and then again on the Volunteer tab. If you have questions, contact Mary Barnstead, Youth Minister. Thank you on behalf of the Archdiocese and spirit-filled youth from around the nation.
 

Christians everywhere will celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4 by having their pets blessed in the spirit of this patron saint of animals and ecology.

St. Luke is no exception to this traditional practice. On Tuesday, October 4, Msgr. Schaedel will have a blessing for the animals and pets at 5:00 PM. People --- and pets --- should gather at the Circle off Holliday Drive East, near the main entrance to the church.

In 1979, Pope John Paul II proclaimed St. Francis of Assisi the patron saint of animals and ecology because of his love and respect for all creatures.

An example of a blessing used on this day is as follows: “Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”  

Trafficking of people is a modern day scourge that afflicts millions of people, particularly women and children, around the world resulting in extreme forms of sexual exploitation and forced labor. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) established the United States’ efforts and leadership to combat the multi-billion dollar industry. Since then, the U.S. government has worked to prevent trafficking in persons; prosecute those who profit from it; and protect victims. Catholic Relief Services partners with U.S. government agencies and others to prevent trafficking and protect victims in more than 35 countries around the world.
 
The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act expires on September 30, 2011 and Congress must act to reauthorize it. If the bill does not pass, U.S. pressure on countries across the globe to combat modern-day slavery will suffer. In this precarious economic environment, more vulnerable and marginalized people may fall victim to those who would exploit them.
 
 Contact your Senators and ask them to support S. 1301, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act and express strong support for the following:
 
1.  The bill’s increased authorization of funding for trafficking victim services and strong emphasis on partnerships with organizations like Catholic Relief Services to combat trafficking in persons.
2.  Authorization of funding for the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, tasked with assisting governments in responding to urgent needs.
3.  Establishment of child protection compacts that would help specific countries to develop and implement comprehensive anti-trafficking plans to protect children. and urge them to preserve life-saving, poverty-focused international assistance in the upcoming deficit reduction negotiations and the FY 2012 appropriations process



 

Conscience Rights Violated by Sweeping HHS Contraceptive Mandate
 
In implementing the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the new health care reform law), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently issued a rule requiring almost all private health plans to cover contraception and sterilization as “preventive services” for women. The mandate even forces individuals and groups with religious or moral objections to purchase and provide such coverage if they are to receive or provide health coverage at all. This poses an unprecedented threat to individual and institutional religious freedom.

The rule includes a religious exemption so extremely narrow that it protects almost no one. It covers only a “religious employer” that has the “inculcation of religious values” as its purpose, primarily employs and serves persons who share its religious tenets, and is a church organization under two narrow provisions of the tax code. A great many religious organizations -- including Catholic colleges and universities, as well as hospitals and charitable institutions that serve the public -- will be ineligible. Individuals and religiously affiliated health insurers will not qualify for the exemption.

The new rule would force insurance plans to cover “all Food and Drug Administration approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling for all women with reproductive capacity.” Never before has the federal government required private health plans to include such coverage. The FDA-approved “emergency contraception” (EC) drugs that are covered by this mandate can work by interfering with implantation of a newly conceived human being. Also, the drug the FDA most recently approved for EC, "Ella,” a close analogue to the abortion drug RU-486, has been shown in animal tests to cause abortion. Thus, the mandate includes drugs that may cause an abortion both before and after implantation.

The public comment period on this interim final rule ends September 30.

Please send an e-mail message to HHS by visiting www.usccb.org/conscience. Once you send your comments to HHS, you will be automatically invited to send a message to your elected representatives in Congress, urging them to support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179/S. 1467) to ensure that such federal mandates do not violate Americans’ moral and religious convictions.




 

The CORRECTED link to use for contacting the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is:    http://www.nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp?ID=299  We apologize for any inconvenience.
 
Please contact the HHS to express your views on the new mandate requiring contraceptive and sterilization coverage in almost all private health plans nationwide.  The HHS has established a period for public comments that ends on September 30.
 
On August 31, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' General Counsel submitted a lengthy comment letter to HHS explaining why this mandate violates other federal laws and longstanding policy precedents, infringes on constitutional rights, and poses a threat to freedom of conscience more sweeping than any posed by laws in the 50 states.



 

The new mandate from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), requires contraceptive and sterilization coverage in almost all private health plans nationwide.
 
Here are the latest developments:

• The HHS has established a period for public comments that ends on September 30.
• On August 31, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' General Counsel submitted a lengthy comment letter to HHS explaining why this mandate violates other federal laws and longstanding policy precedents, infringes on constitutional rights, and poses a threat to freedom of conscience more sweeping than any posed by laws in the 50 states.
•  A new webpage dedicated to Conscience Protection provides a conduit to NCHLA's two alerts, and links to new background on the issue as well as to the USCCB's HHS comment letter and other helpful materials.

St. Luke is in the process of implementing a new tool to help our members find and organize our many community and ministerial activities. Called "Community Opportunities Just a Click Away!", this feature will help you find opportunities to serve and be in fellowship with other members of St. Luke ... and beyond.

What will you find here?

Right now, we are starting small. The Mothers of Young Children (MOYC) is our first group to be using this new part of our web site. More will soon follow so that we will have on-line availability to learn more and join:

• Service opportunities around St. Luke itself
• Christian Social Action in our neighboring community, city, and beyond
• Social and support groups

The Lunch Bunch will host a luncheon and presentation on "Planning for Long Term Care" for all parishioners 65 and older. Lunch will begin at 11:30 AM on Saturday, September 17 in the Fr. Courtney Reception Room. Our guest speaker is Barb Markwith, LCSW, the Director of Social Services at Hooverwood Jewish Home. A $10 fee per person will be collected with reservations to cover the cost of lunch, provided by Maggiano's Little Italy. For more information or to join us, please contact Shannon Schmidt at (317) 259-4373 ext 218.

Congress is on recess until September 7. Your Senators and Representatives are home and it is critical that they hear from you during this period at home in your district. When they return to Washington D.C., they will be forced to make decisions that will have an impact on almost every program as they attempt to reduce the national debt. A bi-partisan “super committee” will be tasked with drawing up plans to aggressively reduce funding levels, and programs that serve those in need will doubtless be at stake.
 
We urge you to communicate with your members of Congress to let them know about the challenges that are facing families in your community.
 
What you can do:
 
Participate in a town hall meeting:

During the summer recess, many representatives will hold town hall meetings and other events to hear directly from their constituents. It is critical that community members take part in these events and share the challenges they are currently facing with their elected officials.  To find out if your elected officials are planning a town hall meeting, please click here.  For information on participating in a public forum, please click here.

Call your member of Congress and urge them to continue to fight to ensure that those in need are not affected disproportionately by federal cuts to critical services. To identify your legislators, please visit this link.

Take the time to cultivate relationships with your members of Congress. Schedule a visit with your member’s district office to discuss issues affecting your community, or invite your member of Congress to visit your programs. Click here for information on conducting a visit with your legislator. For information on how to conduct a site visit, please click here.
 
Please be sure to provide Catholic Charities USA staff with feedback regarding any meetings or interactions that you have with your legislators as this is helpful to our advocacy efforts during meetings with congressional offices in Washington, DC.
 
 
What you can ask your legislators:
 
·         As a local social service provider, I am seeing more and more people coming to my agency for help and we simply cannot meet the need. What are you doing (and/or) will you do to ensure that those in need are not disproportionately affected by the cuts to reduce the nation’s deficit?
·         Our organization believes that spending can be cut without those living in poverty being denied critical services.  Data has shown that as much as twenty to forty cents of every dollar allocated to certain existing federal initiatives that provide greatly needed assistance to Americans are lost in the bureaucratic red tape associated with those programs.  What will you do to ensure that the government focus on creating and maximizing bureaucratic efficiency and not on sacrificing vital services?
·         Nearly 45 million Americans are living in a crisis of poverty and rely on the worn safety net system that is threatened by many of the potential cuts. This is a critical time for our nation – We need to find ways to address the needs of so many in our country, and help provide greater self-sufficiency for the millions of Americans currently living in need. Are you willing to engage in discussion on how we can permanently make a difference in the lives of those living poverty?
·         Much of the discussion in Congress has been around the budget and reducing the national debt. What steps will you take to help create jobs in our community?
 
 
Background:
 
On August 1, the President signed into law legislation to allow the U.S. government to increase the national debt by $2.1 trillion. However, the legislation that was passed requires that this spending be offset by equivalent reductions in spending over a 10-year period.
 
While the legislation does not affect mandatory spending such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, it does call for significant reduction in discretionary spending. The measure calls for a bipartisan “super committee” to determine spending cuts, and for Congress to vote on these reductions by December 23, 2011. If Congress fails to approve the committee’s recommendations, the legislation would enact an automatic trigger that would result in $1.2 trillion in reductions to defense appropriations, domestic spending, and some Medicare programs. Given that both parties have substantial reasons to be displeased with the triggers if they fail to approve the Committee’s recommendations, it is likely that they will work on reaching an agreement to reduce spending in the next couple weeks.
 
In anticipation of potential cuts to programs, there is likely to be an all-out lobbying frenzy by special interest groups to protect their programs. Now is a critical time for the Catholic Charities USA network to mobilize and explain our vision of transformative change in the social service delivery system in America.
 
For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Policy and Legislative Affairs or Ron Jackson, Senior Director, Government Affairs.

August 1, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
USCCB: HHS Mandate for Contraceptive and Abortifacient Drugs Violates Conscience Rights
 
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) sharply criticized a new HHS “preventive services” mandate requiring private health plans to cover female surgical sterilization and all drugs and devices approved by the FDA as contraceptives, including drugs which can attack a developing unborn child before and after implantation in the mother’s womb.  
 
“Although this new rule gives the agency the discretion to authorize a ‘religious’ exemption, it is so narrow as to exclude most Catholic social service agencies and healthcare providers,” said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
 
“For example, under the new rule our institutions would be free to act in accord with Catholic teaching on life and procreation only if they were to stop hiring and serving non-Catholics,” Cardinal DiNardo continued.  “Could the federal government possibly intend to pressure Catholic institutions to cease providing health care, education and charitable services to the general public?  Health care reform should expand access to basic health care for all, not undermine that goal.”
 
“The Administration’s failure to create a meaningful conscience exemption to the preventive services mandate underscores the need for Congress to approve the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act,” the Cardinal said.   That bill (H.R. 1179), introduced by Reps. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Dan Boren (D-OK), would prevent mandates under the new health reform law from undermining rights of conscience.
 
Cardinal DiNardo added: “Catholics are not alone in conscientiously objecting to this mandate.  The drugs that Americans would be forced to subsidize under the new rule include Ella, which was approved by the FDA as an ‘emergency contraceptive’ but can act like the abortion drug RU-486.  It can abort an established pregnancy weeks after conception.  The pro-life majority of Americans – Catholics and others – would be outraged to learn that their premiums must be used for this purpose.”
 
“HHS says the intent of its ‘preventive services’ mandate is to help ‘stop health problems before they start,’ said Cardinal DiNardo. “But pregnancy is not a disease, and children are not a ‘health problem’ – they are the next generation of Americans.”
 
“It’s now more vital than ever that Congress pass the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act to close the gaps in conscience protection in the new health care reform act, so employers and employees alike will have the freedom to choose health plans in accordance with their deeply held moral and religious beliefs.”
 
In a July 22 letter supporting the bill, Cardinal DiNardo wrote: “Those who sponsor, purchase and issue health plans should not be forced to violate their deeply held moral and religious convictions in order to take part in the health care system or provide for the needs of their families or their employees.  To force such an unacceptable choice would be as much a threat to universal access to health care as it is to freedom of conscience.”
 
The full text of Cardinal DiNardo’s letter is available online. Cardinal DiNardo also addressed the Institute of Medicine’s recommendations on preventive services for women in a July 19 statement: www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2011/11-143.shtml

Note: Washington Weekly will not be sent during the month of August, while the Congress is adjourned for their recess.
 
 
Congress Reaches Deal on Debt Ceiling
 
Months of rancorous debate ended on Sunday with a deal to raise the federal debt ceiling and avoid default. President Obama, Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid, Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, and Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner announced an agreement on a package of spending cuts and a so-called “super-commission” that is intended to help get the government’s debt problem under control.
 
According to the CBO study of the bill released Monday, the deal establishes caps on discretionary spending through 2021 and requires that the House and Senate vote on a joint resolution proposing a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution. It also establishes a procedure to increase the nation’s current $14.3 trillion debt limit by $400 billion initially and procedures “that would allow the limit to be raised further in two additional steps, for a cumulative increase of between $2.1 trillion and $2.4 trillion,” the CBO said.
 
The bill was passed by the House of Representatives by a 269-161 vote, with 95 Democrats joining 174 Republicans in support of the deal. It was been passed in the Senate and signed by President Obama yesterday, leaving just enough time for the Treasury Department to raise the debt ceiling and avoid an unprecedented default. It is not known if, or how, this will affect the nation’s credit rating.
 
Now that Congress has passed a bill intended to get spending under control, members of the special commission will have to determine how to make the cuts to discretionary funding. It is imperative that we all work to educate members on the importance of programs that serve the poor and the vulnerable. Therefore a back home strategy will be critical when members are back in district offices for the Congressional recess.
 
Catholic Charities USA strategy includes hosting a conference call with member agencies as well as several ways for you to take action during the Congressional recess. We will be keeping you informed about that conference call once more details are scheduled, and hope that you will continue to engage in our advocacy work in this critical time!
 
For more information about the debt ceiling or CCUSA’s advocacy efforts, contact Patrick Brown, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, at pbrown@catholiccharitiesusa.org
 
 
Catholic Charities USA VP Writes Op-Ed on EFSP
 
Catholic Charities USA Sr. Vice President for Social Policy and Government Affairs Candy Hill signed an editorial with leaders of other national non-profit organizations calling on government leaders to preserve funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. The 2011 budget passed by Congress eliminates funding to programs in more than 500 counties and cities and significantly cuts funding for the program in 1,600 communities.
 
“The most recent recession and the years afterward have been far tougher on America's middle class than any other since the creation of this program, with more than 26 million Americans unemployed or underemployed and one-in-five children living below the poverty line,” the op-ed reads. “As Congress considers the 2012 budget and potential cuts in the debt ceiling debate, we urge our leaders to step up, as they have commendably done in years past, to support the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Americans on the brink of poverty are already struggling to stay above water, and we have the opportunity and obligation to help them get back on firm financial ground before it is too late.”
 
Click on the following link to read the entire editorial: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/07/28/3042106/the-reality-of-cuts-to-anti-poverty.html#ixzz1TsUjqEr9
 
For more information on the EFSP, please contact Candy Hill, Senior VP, Social Policy and Government Affairs, at chill@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
 
 
 
Senate Committee Approves Ex-Offender Legislation
 
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2011 (S.1231), a bipartisan proposal that addresses barriers faced by those exiting the prison system, by a vote of 10 to 8. The bill, sponsored by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Rob Portman (R-OH,) would provide resources to state and local governments, and community-based organizations to assist with reintegrating ex-offenders back into communities.
 
If passed, the bill would:
 
Extend the original grant program authorized under the Second Chance Act for five years
Provide incentives for inmates to participate in recidivism reduction programs
Require periodic audits of grantees
Enhance accountability measures for grantees by requiring periodic audits, Prohibiting funds from being held in offshore accounts, and transparency around compensation for nonprofit executives
To view a copy of the bill and the bill summary, please click http://judiciary.senate.gov/legislation/upload/ALB11493-Leahy-Substitute.pdf.
 
Now that bill has passed the judiciary committee, it will move to the full Senate for consideration. Second Chance Reauthorization legislation has yet to be introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Please look for updates in future editions of Washington Weekly.
 
For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Policy and Legislative Affairs at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
 
 
CCUSA Explores 21st Century Social Service Delivery System
 
On July 10-12, Catholic Charities USA hosted a Case Managers Summit with 24 Catholic Charities agency representatives from 11 local Catholic Charities agencies to get their ideas, input, suggestions and recommendations on building the 21st century social service delivery system. Last weekend, the Case Managers Summit was followed up with a summit during which CCUSA leadership met to evaluate the input from the Case Management Summit and asses and revise CCUSA’s legislative strategy in light of the current political climate.
 
Another goal for last week’s summit was to reassess and update the National Opportunity Community Renewal Act legislation, as well an assessment of a strategic direction and message framework to develop strategies for engaging partners, coalitions and constituencies to support the bill.
 
CCUSA believes that the principles contained in the bill – and influenced by the lessons learned from the Case Managers Summit – are an important contribution to the current discussions about spending, and could serve as a catalyst to help policymakers as they evaluate programs that impact people in poverty.
 
For more information, please contact Candy Hill, Senior VP, Social Policy and Government Affairs, at chill@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
 
 
Register Today for the First National Poverty Summit
 
Catholic Charities USA is honored to partner with its colleagues in hosting the first annual National Poverty Summit, held with the Annual Gathering in Fort Worth, Texas.  This 1 ½ day conference will provide attendees with opportunities to connect with the national movement to reduce poverty in America, hear from inspiring leaders, learn best practices from across the country in poverty reduction strategies, and recommit themselves to our ongoing work.  Register today!  (www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org/PovertySummit).
 
Partners include the American Human Development Institute, Bread for the World, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, CFED, Coalition on Human Needs, Feeding America, National Alliance to End Homelessness, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
 
For more information, contact Kirsten Linge Schoenfeld, Director, Events and Convening at kschoenfeld@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
 
 
 
Fighting Poverty with Faith Mobilization
 
Catholic Charities USA invites you to join us for the 4th annual Fighting Poverty with Faith (FPWF) mobilization, “Working Together to End Hunger.” Scheduled for October 27 to November 6, FPWF is a weeklong mobilization that focuses on addressing the most basic needs of our brothers and sisters in poverty. This mobilization utilizes the strength of various faith communities to develop a greater sense of urgency in advocating for new policy solutions to poverty. Catholic Charities USA co-sponsors this event with a diverse coalition of national and local faith organizations dedicated to cutting domestic poverty in half by 2020.
 
We invite individuals, families, congregations, community and youth groups, schools, and faith-based organizations to come together to end hunger and poverty. We encourage you to plan an event or action in your community. Fighting Poverty with Faith Action Toolkits with resources to plan a community-wide Food Stamp Challenge and Hunger Banquet are available on the FPWF website at www.fightingpovertywithfaith.com. The website also contains additional advocacy information, media, and outreach materials. We also encourage you to connect the mobilization with a pre-existing event. Please visit www.fightingpovertywithfaith.com for more information and to add your event to the FPWF calendar.
 
If you are interested in learning how your agency can participate in this year’s mobilization, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Policy and Legislative Affairs at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.



 

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops urges Congress and the Administration to protect programs for poor and vulnerable persons during deficit reduction negotiations that are happening now.
 
Some proposals under discussion include disproportionate cuts to programs that serve the poorest, most vulnerable people at home and abroad.  Fiscal responsibility is important and it requires shared sacrifice and a priority concern for poor persons at home and abroad in our budget choices.
 
Unfortunately, very few advocate the priority claim of poor and vulnerable people, which makes our voices so much more important and prophetic.
 
Most recently, Bishop Stephen E. Blair and Bishop Howard J. Hubbard sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives expressing their concerns.  
 
Earlier this year, a letter from Bishop Blaire, and a joint letter from Bishop Hubbard and Ken Hackett, President of CRS, went out to the U.S. Senate, calling for more attention to the needs of poor and vulnerable people.
 
What You Can Do

1. Call your Members of Congress and tell them:
Every budget decision should be assessed by whether it protects or threatens human life and dignity.
A central moral measure of any budget proposal is how it affects “the least of these” (Matthew 25). The needs of those who are hungry and homeless, without work, or in poverty should come first.
Government and other institutions have a shared responsibility to promote the common good of all, especially ordinary workers and families who struggle to live in dignity in difficult economic time.
A just framework for future budgets cannot rely on disproportionate cuts in essential services to poor persons. It requires shared sacrifice by all, including raising adequate revenues, eliminating unnecessary military and other spending, and addressing the long-term costs of health insurance and retirement programs fairly.

2. Write to your Representative and Senators with the below message, telling them, specifically, how these cuts will hurt your diocese/parish/community in efforts to serve the poor and vulnerable people.

3. Help your diocese, parish, community organizations, and families understand the consequences of these deficit-reduction proposals on poor and vulnerable people. See these  documents and the letters above for more details.

4. Post information about this call to action online including Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, blogs, websites, and other media. 

The 2010 comprehensive health care reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), poses new risks to religious freedom and rights of conscience. To correct these problems, Reps. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Dan Boren (D-OK) introduced the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179). This measure will ensure that those who participate in the health care system “retain the right to provide, purchase, or enroll in health coverage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions” and ensure that PPACA does not create new pressures to exclude these participants from PPACA’s plans or programs.

In an April 6 letter to Congress, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, stated that PPACA’s list of “essential health benefits” and a separate list of mandated “preventive services for women” may be used to require almost all private health plans to cover various procedures rejected by teachings of some religions, such as abortifacients, contraception, sterilization, in vitro fertilization, and treatments using material from deliberately killed unborn children. PPACA includes no provision to keep such lists of mandated benefits from violating conscience. Cardinal DiNardo urged Representatives to co-sponsor H.R. 1179 and promote its passage.

Recent developments have only confirmed the need for H.R. 1179. On July 19, an advisory body recommended to the Department of Health and Human Services a list of “preventive services” for women to be covered under PPACA. Cardinal DiNardo objected to the report’s mandated coverage not only for surgical sterilization but also for “all FDA-approved birth control (including the IUD, ‘morning-after’ pills, and the abortion-inducing drug Ella)” and for “education and counseling” to promote these among all “women of reproductive capacity.” If HHS accepts these recommendations, all insurance plans will be required to cover these controversial practices without a co-pay from recipients. “The considerable cost of these practices will be paid by all who participate in health coverage. . . . [S]uch a mandate would require all . . . to carry health coverage that violates the deeply-held moral and religious convictions of many.” Now it is “especially critical” for Members of Congress to co-sponsor and pass H.R. 1179.

Senators Propose Medicare Change

On June 28, Senators Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) introduced a new plan that would adjust Medicare’s eligibility and payment structure. The bill’s sponsors say the proposal would reduce Medicare spending by $600 billion over the next 10 years.
As introduced the bill would:

•  Raise the eligibility age from 65 to 67. This increase would occur in two month increments starting with people turning 65 in 2014 until the threshold reaches 67 in 2025. Doing so is projected to save $124 billion over 10 years.
•  Increase Part B premiums for individuals making more than $150K a year o couples making more than $300K a year. Under the plan, they would have to pay 100 percent of the costs of their Part B coverage, which covers non-hospital doctor’s care. Currently, premiums are now covered at 25 percent. The projected savings would be between $5-10 billion over 10 years.
•  Establish a combined annual deductible of $550 for both Part A and Part B Services and restructure Medigap Coverage that picks up costs not covered by Medicare. Out-of-pocket expenses would be capped at $7,500 a year. For individuals with incomes between $160,000-213,000, expenses would be capped at $22,500. The projected savings would be $130 million over 10 years.
•  Phase out Medicare payments for bad hospital debt. Currently, Medicare reimburses hospitals and providers for unpaid deductibles and copayments. Eliminating this reimbursement is expected to save $23 billion over 10 years.
•  Increase Part B premiums for Medicare beneficiaries by 2 percent over 5 years, including a “hold harmless” provision that would prevent an increase in the Part B premium in the event if it would be larger than the Social Security annual cost-of-living adjustment. The projected cost savings is $241 billion over 10 years.

While the proposal is said to be too controversial to pass as a whole package, elements of the proposal could be included in debt negotiations or longer term discussions on Medicare. For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Policy and Legislative Affairs at [lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org].
 

 
Debt Limit Update
 
With an August 2nd deadline approaching, President Obama and Congress remain at odds in their negotiations to avoid forcing the first Federal government default on debt obligations in U.S. history. Congress, which has the authority to raise the debt limit, is responsible for making sure the Treasury department is able to cover the government’s financial obligations through 2012.
 
For the Republicans in the House, they are adamant that any debt limit deal must include no tax increases. Democrats, led by President Obama, take the position that any budget reductions must include tax increases requiring the nation’s top earners to pay their “fair share.” “We need to take on spending in domestic programs, in defense programs, in entitlement programs, and we need to take on spending in the tax code, spending on certain tax breaks and deductions for the wealthiest of Americans,” Obama said. “This will require both parties to get out of our comfort zones and both parties to agree on real compromise.”
 
Republican leaders have vowed to oppose any tax increases, while leaving open a small possibility of increasing revenue through ending some tax loopholes or raising user fees.   The bottom line for the Republicans is that any effort to raise the debt limit must be accompanied by spending cuts of an equal amount. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) warned that any plan to increase taxes “cannot pass the House, as I have stated repeatedly…I’m happy to discuss these issues at the White House, but such discussions will be fruitless until the President recognizes economic and legislative reality.”
 
President Obama has invited the top Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate to a meeting at the White House on Thursday, July 7th, 2011 for a summit to attempt to hammer out a deal that all parties can agree on and avoid a default on the nation’s debt.
 
Catholic Charities will continue to very closely monitor the developments in this very critical and sensitive Congressional and Administrative issue. For more information, contact Ron Jackson, Senior Director, Government Affairs, [rjackson@catholiccharitiesusa.org].
 
 
 
 
Senate Committee holds DREAM Act Hearing
 
On June 28, the U.S. Senate Judiciary committee held the first-ever hearing on the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. The legislation addresses the plight of immigrant children who grew up in the U.S. and graduated from high school, but cannot attend college because of current immigration laws.
 
Witnesses at the hearing included:

•  Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, who testified to the importance of the DREAM Act for our country, the benefits to our economy and the armed forces
•  Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, who testified to his Department’s support for the legislation and its importance for our country’s global competitiveness
•  Clifford Stanley, Undersecretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness), who discussed the DREAM Act and its impact on our Armed Forces.
•  Ola Kaso, an immigrant student, who shared her experience as a child coming into the U.S. legally thirteen years ago and excelling in her education, but who now faces deportation in less than a year.

 
If enacted by Congress, the DREAM Act would put children of undocumented immigrants on a path to legal permanent residence and eventual citizenship if they attend college or join the military for two years. The Act would apply to those children who entered the U.S. prior to age 16, have lived in the United States for at least five years, and have graduated from high school. In addition, the proposal would allow students to attend college at in-state tuition rates.
 
It is unlikely that the bill will receive consideration in the House. As previously reported, Majority Leader Harry Reid suggested that the measure could be attached to a web-based employment proposal expected to be introduced in the House of Representatives. In addition, the Congressional Quarterly reported that expanding the E-Verify system is a top priority of House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX), who is expected to introduce such legislation later this year.

To view testimony and/or the webcast from the DREAM Act Hearing, please visit the following link: [http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/hearing.cfm?id=3d9031b47812de2592c3baeba604d881]
 
Catholic Charities USA will continue to provide you with updates on the DREAM Act as the bill moves through the legislative process. For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Policy and Legislative Affairs at [lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org].
 
 
***

Washington Weekly is a publication of the Social Policy Department of Catholic Charities USA
and is published regularly when Congress is in session.
Catholic Charities USA
Sixty-Six Canal Center Plaza, Suite 600, Alexandria, VA 22314
socialpolicy@catholiccharitiesusa.org     
For information about advocacy, please contact
Lucreda Cobbs at (703) 236-6243 or lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

 



 

Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is the public policy voice of

 
"Sine Die", without a day, means the session ends Friday, April 29. Despite several weeks' interruption in March, the session will complete its task of providing a budget for the state and new congressional and legislative maps based on updated census data. In addition, many other priorities were also accomplished.
 
As expected, the House concurred with the Senate changes in HB 1003, School scholarships. On Wednesday, HB 1003 passed 56 - 43, mostly on party line. A couple of changes to the Senate amendments have been added to the budget bill HB 1001, which will pass on Friday. The changes will take out the annual inspection by the Department of Education and provide for visits on a schedule and time table that DOE can better manage. It will also require that non-public schools conduct annual teacher evaluations. Many who argued against the bill cited some of the contradictory provisions in the bill. The bill provides some protection from unnecessary regulation of non-public schools but also contains specific requirements regarding teaching of citizenship and other topics and materials. The requirements are already expected for state accredited schools and provide no change or addition to the curriculum.  Others were asking why the tax deduction applied only to families with children in non-public schools.
 
It has been 40 years since Indiana passed a bill that directly supported families and students in choosing a non-public school. On March 12, 1971 the General Assembly passed a tax credit bill for families with students in non-public schools; however, the bill was vetoed by Governor Whitcomb, a Republican. The irony is that when it passed in 1971 it was the Democrats that promoted it. This time the school choice bill was promoted by the Republican Governor and the Democrats opposed it. While this is a victory for parents and students, it is a modest step in recognizing that public policy should support the education of all children. The bill calls for implementation this fall and unless there are court challenges, children and families should be able to benefit soon.
 
Also passing on Wednesday was HB 1210 dealing with abortion law; it also contained a provision that prohibits the state from contracting with organizations that perform abortions. This latter provision was the source of several parliamentary attempts to separate it from the bill. Many argued that the bill should go to a conference committee to remove this from the bill. While the bill passed 66 - 32; many who voted against the bill did so because of the defunding provision; several of those voting in opposition had supported the original bill that dealt with informed consent and hospital admitting privileges only. The bill now goes to the Governor. Some have asserted that the defunding provision will result in the state losing Medicaid funding. This question is yet to be decided, although other states have similar administrative rules and have not lost funding. There is certainty that the law will be challenged in court by Planned Parenthood and the issue will be settled in court.
 
SB 590, Illegal immigration matters, was taken to a conference committee on Tuesday evening. The House made significant changes from the Senate version. The conference committee is to see what Senate provisions can be restored or what has to be removed in order for the bill to pass. Due to a provision regarding definition of child abuse and neglect added in the House, the bill contains a large fiscal obligation. Hence, the Senate will not concur with the bill; in order for it to pass at least this provision must be removed. Then, a conference committee report and votes by both Senate and House are required for the bill to pass. Although the committee heard three hours of testimony, most of which was repetitious from earlier hearings, nothing was resolved.  Unless the Democrat conferees agree to changes, no report will be signed for consideration. It may come to the last hours until we know if an agreement is reached. If no agreement is reached, the bill dies and does not become law.
 
The Senate concurred with the changes to SB 340, Charity gaming, by a vote of 39 -11. The bill provides some changes requested by many charity organizations and provides for a study committee to review other requests such as using proceeds to pay for staff members of the charity organization.

In addition to the Update, one can obtain more detailed information regarding the bills and detailed information about the legislative process through the ICC Legislative Action Center. Under "policy tools" click on "issues and legislation" and access the state or federal bills by clicking "current legislation". Also, you can access the archived updates, ICC positions and other background information at the ICC web site, www.indianacc.org

We will be publishing a Pictorial Directory for our parish this fall in celebration of our 50th Anniversary. We need you to be part of our family album on this historic occasion.

This can be done by signing up after the Masses the weekend of April 30 / May 1 or by clicking here to sign up on-line. By participating in the directory, you will receive a free directory and your choice of an 8x10 photo or nine (9) wallet size photos.

We need everyone to participate ... please be part of our family album!

• Child Care: Provides $2.2 billion for the Child Development Block Grant, an increase of $100 million from FY2010 enacted level;
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program: Funded at $176 million, nearly $5 million above FY2010 enacted levels;
• Community Development Block Grant: Funded at $3.3 billion, $650 million less than the FY2010 enacted level;
• Community Service Block Grant: Funded at $680 million, $20 million below FY2010 enacted level;
• Corporation for National Service: Funded at $1.08 billion, $72 million less than FY2010;
• Emergency Food and Shelter Program: Funded at $120 million, $80 million below the FY2010;
• Head Start: Funded at $$7.6 billion, a $340 million increase from the FY2010 enacted level;
• Homeless Assistance Grant: Funded at $1.9 billion in funding, a $40 million above FY2010 enacted levels. (This includes a set-aside for $225 million for Emergency Solutions Grant-a recently enacted bill to support homelessness prevention and rapid response housing activities);
• Homeless Veterans: Funded at $50 million for vouchers to house homeless veterans through the HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program;
• Housing for Elderly and Disabled: $400 billion for elderly housing and $150 million for housing for disabled;
• Hunger Free Community Grants: Eliminates funding for this program funded for the first time in FY2010 at $5million;
• Job Training:Provides $2.8 billion, $182 million below FY2010 enacted level for job training grants to states for Adults, Youth and Dislocated workers;
• Juvenile Justice programs: Funded at $148 million, $14 million below FY2010;
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program: Funded at $4.71 billion, $390 million below FY 2010 enacted level;
• Migration and Refugee Assistance: Funded at $1.69 billion, $5 million above FY2010 enacted level;
• Rental Assistance: Section 8 funded at $18.4 billion, $233 million above FY2010 enacted levels;
• Senior Employment Program: Funded at $450 million, $375 million below Fy2010 enacted levels;
• Senior Nutrition: Provides $847million, the same amount of funding enacted for FY2010;
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): Level funded at FY2010 enacted level of $49.5 million. However, funding for TEFAP Infrastructure Grants Program is eliminated. This program was funded for the first time in FY2010 at $6 million; and
• Women, Infant, and Children (WIC): Funded at $6.748 billion, $504 million below the FY2010 enacted level.

Looking for a Vacation Bible School that is truly Catholic, virtue-based and fun for kids from age 3 years old to grade 4?

Look no more ....

Your Kids grab onto some "Zeal for Souls" then work to "Win the World for Jesus" as they learn to be missionaries for the Church today.   Your Kids go on an expedition with each day's missionary saint to the world and then discover ways to serve in new K4J Territory today through fun games, activities, crafts, and the global "Win the World" Catholic Medical Mission.  After kids meet the missionaries on the Medical Missions DVD, they work to fill surgical gloves with new toothbrushes and spare change that these Catholic medical workers can bring to serve the poor around the world. 

Older students (5^th grade and up) serve as Leaders for the younger children.  They act as role models and leaders.  This peer-to-peer leadership program is exciting and enriching for all age groups involved.

Check out our web page for more information and to register.

The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program is a federally funded program which has allowed over 3300 children from low-income families to attend private, including religious, schools in the District of Columbia since 2004.  Nearly 9000 families have applied to participate in DCOSP.  Unfortunately, since 2009, Congress and the Administration have not allowed new children, including siblings, to apply for scholarships.  Opponents of the program ignored the study conducted by the U.S. Department of Education that concluded that students who used their scholarships had a 91% graduation rate and that parental satisfaction and demand for the program were overwhelming.  Opponents have also ignored the aspects of the legislation that provided additional funding for D.C. regular and charter schools as part of a three-sector approach to improving educational opportunities for children in the District of Columbia.
Speaker of the House John Boehner, a long-time supporter of this program, has introduced H.R. 471, the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (SOAR) to reauthorize the program so that new students can receive scholarships.  The bill continues the three-sector approach by authorizing $60 million to be evenly divided for use by private school families, regular public schools and public charter schools.   A companion bill, S. 206 has been introduced by Senator Joseph Lieberman in the Senate.

On March 10, 2011, H.R. 471 was passed by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform by a vote of 21-14.  Current information is that the full House of Representatives will consider the vote during the week of March 28th.

Please contact your member in the House of Representatives and let her/him know that you support the reauthorization of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program.

Washington Weekly

FY2011 Spending Update
On March 18, President Obama signed into law another short-term bill approved by the Congress that would fund the government through April 8. The current continuing resolution will expire on March 18.  The Congress will now have three weeks to figure out funding for the remaining FY2011 or face a government shutdown.

The short-term bill does not include the cuts to programs that were a part of the broader long-term package (HR. 1) passed by  House which included reduction and elimination of funding for the EFSP, Refugee Resettlement, Housing programs, and the Corporation to name a few. The new short-term bill is comprised of rescinding unneeded funds from the 2010 Census, elimination of earmarks, and elimination and reduction of 25 programs-many which were included in the President's FY2012 budget proposal.

For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

CCUSA Hosts National Hill Day

Catholic Charities USA continues to be dedicated to the goal of cutting in half the number of people living in poverty in America by 2020. We need your voice advocating Congress to help achieve this goal and to continue the conversation started at our Centennial which advances 21st century solutions to reduce poverty.

We anticipate the reintroduction of the National Opportunity and Community Renewal Act prior to your arrival in Washington, DC for our 2011 National Hill Day. Your Members of Congress need to hear your voice, your stories and your experiences in order to make the best choices for your community and the people you serve. We are excited to welcome back our colleagues from Soapbox who will organize our Hill Day.

Meetings will take place in the afternoon and early evening. If you have any special requests, please make sure you complete the survey that is sent with confirmation of registration.

To Register Now!
For more information, contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

 
Congress Goes on Recess
As Congress goes on recess, decisions regarding funding for the FY2011 remain uncertain. When Congress returns from recess on March 28, they will have a short-time frame before the continuing resolution just signed into law by the President expires.

While members are back home in their districts, don't forget to visit their offices, make calls, and or send them messages, letting them know how their decisions will affect your community.

Please look for a town hall alert telling you when and where members will hold town hall meetings.

For more information, contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.


Farewell
It is with sadness for CCUSA and our Social Policy team, that we announce that Monica Maggiano has accepted another position.  Monica has truly left her mark on the work of CCUSA and our network through her leadership in managing Katrina Aid today, her enthusiastic work with Steve Liss, the Consumer Advisory Council and her passion for the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America.  Our network has been enhanced by her service and dedication and the people we serve have been blessed by her work. We know that she will bring the same enthusiasm and passion to her new position as an Account Director at Powell Tate, a division of Weber Shandwick- the largest public relations company in the world.   Her first project is to oversee the Bank of America local market implementation strategy in 15 cities working with the local banks and local PR teams to help them be a better community partner. She will also be helping with some of the agencies Corporate Social Responsibility and social innovation accounts.

Please join us in wishing her well.


Registration for CLINIC Annual Convening

Register now for the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) 14th Annual Convening in Seattle, WA, May 18-20, 2011.

From the basics of immigration law to the most advanced issues that arise in filing petitions, CLINIC's 14th Annual Convening in Seattle, WA will offer workshops for legal services providers and immigration advocates at any level.

CLINIC's three-day conference offers excellent updates on immigration law, insightful trainings, and opportunities for networking.

Come meet fellow advocates and learn new strategies for fundraising, program management, and advocacy.

Registration and additional information is available online here.

For more information, contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.


***

The St. Luke Catholic Church community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and unimaginable suffering of the victims of the earthquake, tsunamis, and continuing aftershocks that have devastated northern Japan. While the images of the destruction can leave us feeling helpless, there are ways we can unite in support of those affected by this tragedy:

* Join in prayer for the victims and their families.

* Pray for all of the Japanese people. Whether near the epicenter or far, the entire country has been affected by these natural disasters and will need time to heal, recover and rebuild.

* Contribute to the emergency response and recovery effort through Catholic Relief Services (CRS). CRS, the official overseas humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community, is working closely with Caritas International to provide emergency relief and assist with the recovery effort. The mission of CRS and Caritas International is to alleviate suffering and provide assistance to people in need without regard to race, religion, or nationality.

Contributions can be made online by going to www.crs.org and selecting "Help Japan through Catholic Relief Services," by phoning (800) 736-3467, or by sending a check or money order to: Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090. 

Lent is just around the corner. The bulletin of March 6 will have a special Lenten Calendar insert. You can see it on-line just as you can view any of our bulletin publications.

Please make special note of the times for the liturgies on Ash Wednesday. They are 8:15 AM, 12:00 Noon, and 5:30 PM.

In the body of Christ, there exists a wonderful variety of ministries, which are especially evident when we gather around the altar to worship God. [Book of Blessings, 1858]

Be a part of our new greeter ministry here at St. Luke! We are dedicated to welcoming parishioners and visitors to weekend Masses!

Greeter training sessions will be Saturday, March 5, at 9 AM, and Sunday, March 6, at 10 AM. Please plan on attending one of these sessions if you are interested in this ministry. For more information, contact Lynn Sheplock.

Help support St. Luke Brownie Troop 42544. They will be selling Girl Scout cookies at Mr. Mike's Ace Hardware at the corner of 86th and Ditch from 10 AM until 2 PM on March 5 and March 12.

Girl Scout Troop 574 is collection used prescription eyeglasses for a service project that will benefit those helped by the Lion's Club, the IU Medical Students, and a mission trip to Honduras. Please bring in your old or unused glasses and deposit them into the collection box on the floor in the Look Nook outside the Parish Office. An additional box is in the School Office.

Thank you for your help with these projects!

Washington Weekly is a publication of the Social Policy Department of Catholic Charities USA
and is published regularly when Congress is in session.

House Committee Sets FY 2011 Spending
Last week, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) announced proposed spending levels for the remainder of fiscal year 2011. Currently, government programs are operating on an extension known as a continuing resolution until March 4, 2011. The budget allocations released by Chairman Ryan would set overall discretionary spending at $1.055 billion with $420 billion allocated to non-discretionary programs, $43 billion below the fiscal year 2010 spending level, and defense funding at $635 billion, an $8 billion increase from the fiscal year 2010 level.

Some reports suggest that programs that provide services to the most vulnerable are at risk of being reduced. One such program is the Emergency Food and Shelter program which could be cut by as much as fifty percent. During its 27 years of operation, the program has disbursed over $3.4 billion to over 12,000 local providers in more than 2,500 counties and cities. In addition, several other programs are slated for cuts including reductions to the following:

• Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies -$30M
• Juvenile Justice -$2.3M
• Rural Development Programs -$237M
• WIC -$758M
• Job Training Programs -$2B
• Community Health Centers -$1.3B
• Maternal and Child Health Block Grants -$210M
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services -$96M
• Community Services Block Grant -$405M
• HUD Community Development Fund -$530M

• Prioritize and pursue comprehensive immigration reform in lieu of enforcement-only measures to address the issues of unauthorized immigration in the United States; and
• De-emphasize the use of workplace raids - in which immigrants are detained and families are separated - as a measure to enforce immigration laws in the U.S. workplace.

• Review programs for waste, fraud and abuse;
• Review food and nutrition programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), fruit and vegetable initiatives, the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Food Distribution on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and other commodity distribution programs;
• Assess the level of participation by states in SNAP and examine state options for expanding SNAP participation;
• Review buying patterns of SNAP recipients and methods for encouraging balanced lifestyles;
• Review efforts by state SNAP administrators to modernize and streamline their programs;
• Review the Community Food Project Program to ensure cooperative grants are working;
• Review of the SNAP retailer approval process; and
• Review of the implementation of changes made to the SNAP Nutrition Education Program.
• Review programs within the 2008 Farm Bill that may be inefficient, duplicative, outdated or more appropriately administered by State or local governments for possible cuts or elimination;

"When good people do nothing, evil prevails"

Shaping public policy is the responsibility of every person.  Our democratic form of government and our Catholic Church both call us to become involved. 

Now, through the Indiana Catholic Conference, the voice for the Indiana Bishops at the Statehouse, you and other Catholics can have a direct impact on legislative action through I-CAN.  As an I-CAN (Indiana Catholic Action Network) member you will have quick easy access to the President of the United States, members of Congress, state lawmakers and the governor.  You can share your Catholic views on important issues such as abortion, immigration reform, embryonic stem cell research, health care reform and education just to name a few. 

How can I Join I-CAN?

1) Go to the Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) Website at www.indianacc.org

2) Click on Legislative Action Center.

3) Click on Join our Action Network.

4) Put in required information and you will now receive periodic I-CAN Updates. 

If you want to be informed about pending legislation that is either in line with Church teaching or contrary to it, then I-CAN is waiting for you. 

We are just a few clicks away at www.indianacc.org.

Friday, February 11 at 5:30 PM - Blue and Gold Banquet

Saturday, February 12 at 9 AM - Saturday Morning Breakfast (Fr. Courtney Room)

Saturday, February 12, at 10 AM - Confessions

Sunday, February 13, at 10 AM - Bible Study 2011

Sunday, February 13, at 7:30 PM - Christ Renews His Parish 8

Change your light ...

If every household in the United States replaces just one regular light bulb with one of those new compact fluorescent bulbs, the pollution reduction would be equivalent to removing one million cars from the road. Don't like the color? Use them in closets, laundry rooms, and other places where it won't bother you as much.

Please bring your paper, magazines, and newspapers to our green and yellow recycling bins on the west side of the facility, near the main entrance. You will help the environment and we get a financial benefit for the paper recycling!

• a worship service led by Indiana clergy from the full range of Indiana denominations and faith traditions;
• choral music celebrating the beauty and wonder of creation by a choir open to all Hoosiers and led by Steve Potts, Director of Music at First Baptist Church;
• presentations on three programs that equip congregations to inspire and enable their members to significantly reduce energy use; and
• breakout sessions for clergy and lay leaders interested in beginning faith-based energy conservation initiatives in their communities and denominations

St. Luke
Family Spaghetti Night
January 21, 2011
6:00 - 8:30 PM

Dinner Choices
Spaghetti with Marinara
Spaghetti with Meatball
Cheese Pizza
Pepperoni Pizza
All dinners include a beverage, salad, garlic bread and dessert.
Adult $5 Child $4
($25 max per family)
To order, click here!

Class of 2011 Fundraiser
Help pay our way to Washington, D.C.

• Saint Aloysius Gonzaga High School, Nairobi, Kenya. Grant: $1,000. This is the third and final year of their grant, which provides for tuition for a student to attend the Jesuit high school for AIDS affected children in the Kibera slums of Nairobi, Kenya.
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis (HHGI). Grant: $1,000.  Cathedral High School and HHGI have built a long history together, partnering since 2004.  Theirs is primarily a yearly service learning project and is anticipated by each member of the student body commencing in its freshman year to participate in as members of the senior class.   The senior class raises and contributes $15,000 to partially sponsor a home.  Our grant helps bridge the gap between the fundraising by Cathedral students and the actual cost of the home.
• Christmas Store, Catholic Charities of Indianapolis. Grant: $1,000. This grant is in conjunction with our annual collections for the Christmas Store.  The store is stocked with items such as clothing, toys, and household goods that are purchased or donated. Families in need can "purchase" a wide range of Christmas gifts for only a few dollars.
• White Violet Center for Eco-Justice. Grant: $1,178. The White Violet Center is a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, who ministered in our educational ministry at St. Luke for many years. The center is grounded in Providence Spirituality and offers leadership and education in the preservation, restoration, and renewal of all natural resources. Our grant will purchase a tiller so that their interns can learn sustainable pasture care.
• St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Haiti Program. Grant: $1,000. Our neighboring parish, St. Thomas Aquinas, has a well-developed twinning program with St. Jean Marie Parish in Belle Riviere, Haiti. This grant is being used to help renovate the parish rectory.
• Holy Angels Church Christmas Program. Grant: $1,000. Our neighbors to the south at Holy Angels Catholic Church will feed an estimated 400 families at Christmas. This is 100 more families than they assisted last year. Our grant is being used to provide food for the additional meals needed for this year's outreach efforts.
• Tatum's Bags of Fun. Grant: $1,050. Tatum's Bags of Fun is an organization that tries to make a difference in the lives of children and their families in Indiana who are fighting cancer. When hospitalized, the children receive a brightly-colored, cheery backpack filled with age-specific games and activities. Our grant will purchase the items for three (3) bags.
• Ryves Youth Center, Catholic Charities of Terre Haute. Grant: $1,000. As part of Catholic Charities of Terre Haute, the Ryves Youth Center is a direct service agency, serving approximately 1500 youth each year, ages 5 through 17. It has a full-day preschool and after-school programming. Our grant will help provide for their general services.

• To the many parishioners who stayed a little longer to help clean up the facility so that we would be ready for a Confirmation meeting on Sunday morning; and
• To all of you who made the evening a fun-filled time by your attendance, we say

• Installation of a 5-ton (American Standard/Trane) air handling unit complete with 25kw of electric heat in the Music Office/storage room unit
• Installation of an (American Standard/Trane) 5-ton condensing unit outside Art Room on a A/C Pad
• Installation of a high quality condensate pump and piping to pump water (from the dehumidifiers) from condensate pump to sump pit located in the electrical room
• Installation of a Honeywell Vision Pro Thermostat with Dehumidification control and ductwork to spread out dehumidified air into each space, including diffusers (2'x2' lay-in diffusers) and return air grilles