For First Time in 47 Years, Senate Takes Zero Substantive Votes

For Immediate Release: February 3, 2020
Contact: Lee Morrow, lmorrow@networklobby.org, 202-601-7871

For First Time in 47 Years, Senate Takes Zero Substantive Votes
Sr. Simone: “We have never seen a Senate take absolutely no votes on issues of economic justice that could be scored on our Catholic Social Justice Voting Record.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – For the first time in NETWORK’s 47 year history, the 2019 Senate took zero votes that could be scored on our Catholic Social Justice Voting Record. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell buried over 400 House-passed bills. Many of those bills, if passed into law, would help create a society that promotes justice and the dignity of all.

It is unprecedented to see such a dearth of substantive legislative activity in the Senate. Leader McConnell refuses to allow Senators to vote in accordance with Catholic Social Justice. Our empty Senate scorecard represents the total failure of Senate leadership to move our nation forward.

Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice:

“This is shocking. In NETWORK’s 47 year history, we have never seen a Senate take absolutely no votes on issues of economic justice that could be scored on our Catholic Social Justice Voting Record. The Republican-led Senate has brought new meaning to the idea of a do-nothing Congress. Leader McConnell’s Senate Graveyard is a shocking failure in leadership and an immoral act of partisanship. This obstruction will not be forgotten in the 2020 election.

“Pope Francis has called for an end to the “economy of exclusion” that drives the gaps in income and wealth inequality in the world and especially in our nation. The Senate did nothing to address the Pope’s call to heal that divide. In fact, Leader McConnell perpetuated the problem by refusing to take up any legislation that would promote economic justice.

“The Senate is broken, and only a change in leadership can fix it. That’s why NETWORK will mobilize our Catholic membership in 2020 to elect new leaders who support economic justice. We know the path forward. The only way to see it through is to vote.”

Thousands of NETWORK members all around the country will be contacting their members regarding the 2019 Catholic Social Justice Voting Record.

The House voting record and each member’s score is online at www.networklobby.org/votingrecord2019pdf

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NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice – advocates for justice inspired by Catholic Sisters – educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation. They have a nearly 50-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good. www.networklobby.org