If you are having trouble viewing this message, go here: [link removed]

Click To View Documents:
townhall_mtgs_through_62725.pdf - 71KB ([link removed])
-------------------

June 6, 2025


 

Overview: Senate Republicans began consideration ofthe House Reconciliation Bill and a rescission package from the Trump administration this week as they try to get the votes to pass the legislation by July 4. The "Big Beautiful Bill," as it's called, would add $2.4 trillion to the national debt over the next 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. This amount includes two provisions added by the House just prior to being sent to the Senate: a higher state and local tax deduction and Medicaid work requirements that would begin sooner than originally planned.

Another concern for many struggling working families served by Catholic Charities agencies is a provision in the House-passed bill that would require all families who apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to complete a "precertification" procedure each year ([link removed]) for each child to ensure that the child can be claimed for the credit. The provision subjects working families to time-consuming, burdensome, and often confusing rules before they can file their tax return. The result is that many families would opt out of the EITC, which has been a powerful anti-poverty, pro-work tax credit. You can contact your senator's office ([link removed]) and urge them to reject this provision.

In a letter addressed to all senators as they consider the Reconciliation Bill, CCUSA President and CEO Kerry Alys Robinson urged protection for Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and support for a just and fair tax code that prioritizes poor and vulnerable seniors, children, individuals with disabilities, and families. Read the full letter ([link removed]).

SCOTUS decision: The US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) ruled unanimously in favor of Catholic Charities Bureau ([link removed]) (Diocese of Superior, WI), saying that the state of Wisconsin discriminated against the charity based on religion and denied the group a tax exemption.The Court adopted CCUSA's arguments, submitted via a friend of the court brief.The Court agreed with CCUSA that the Wisconsin decision holding that Catholic Charities was not operated for charitable purposes because it did not proselytize to persons receiving services constituted unconstitutional religious discrimination, since the Catholic faith does not allow proselytizing while performing charitable works. Read the decision ([link removed]).

Economy: In the week ending May 31, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims ([link removed]) was 247,000, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 240,000 to 239,000. The 4-week moving average was 235,000, an increase of 4,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 230,750 to 230,500. Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 139,000 in May, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today ([link removed]). Employment continued to trend up in health care, leisure and hospitality, and social assistance. The federal government continued to lose jobs.

Call to action: With Medicaid and SNAP cuts being proposed, you can make a difference by contacting your Senators and asking them to protect these two programs ([link removed]). You can also encourage them to continue to provide the Child Tax Credit and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit at levels that make a difference in people's lives.

Catholic Health Association (CHA): CHA released several new Medicaid resources, including talking points on work requirements ([link removed]) and a new map that models financial and coverage loss by state ([link removed]).

Town Halls: We have attached to this message a list of upcoming town hall meetings hosted by members of Congress. This is a great way to have your voice heard. Please reach out to your member for more details. You can use CCUSA's "Find Your Elected Officials ([link removed])" tool.

 

"Together, we can seek the truth in dialogue, in relaxed conversation or in passionate debate. To do so calls for perseverance; it entails moments of silence and suffering, yet it can patiently embrace the broader experience of individuals and peoples." Pope Francis, Fratelli tutti, No. 50

 

Q. What is removed from the sanctuary at the end of Pentecost Sunday in Catholic churches?

Please send your answers to share CCUSA's Washington Weekly ([link removed]) with your friends, family and networks so that we can build a movement of solidarity for those most in need!

Text "CCUSA" to 855-564-3197 to receive our action alerts! You can also access advocacy opportunities through our Action Center ([link removed]).

Stay connected with our work: Follow us on Twitter @EndPoverty ([link removed]).

If you would like to help further Catholic Charities' commitment to alleviating, reducing, and preventing poverty, you can contribute here ([link removed]).

([link removed])

Forward to a Friend:
[link removed]
Unsubscribe:
[link removed]