FOR RELEASE: November 7, 2012

CONTACT:  Stephanie Niedringhaus, 202-347-9797 x224, sniedringhaus@networklobby.org

Washington DC:  NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice lobby, today issued the following statement regarding yesterday’s election:

First of all, we warmly congratulate President Obama and Vice President Biden, who will now spend four more years serving our nation at a time of both need and hope for the future. We plan to stand with this administration in supporting the continuation and strengthening of the Affordable Care Act, one of the most important laws passed in our nation’s history. And we will mobilize our members to move forward with a common agenda of fairness and justice for all.

As our “Nuns on the Bus” traveled throughout the country in recent months, we have been struck time and again by the resilience of so many people dealing with economic hardship. We have also seen the hunger of our entire nation for messages of hope, along with the belief that we can work together to create our future. We are confident that the administration will respond to that hunger as we move forward together.

We also want to express our appreciation to all the newly elected Members of Congress and returning incumbents who will stand with the people by actively supporting legislation rooted in justice. We are once again hopeful that comprehensive immigration reform can be achieved, and we plan to do everything possible to ensure that it happens. We will also focus the efforts of thousands of our members on communicating the need for a fair and compassionate federal budget.

One of the most hopeful effects of yesterday’s election is that so many communities are becoming visibly stronger in our richly diverse nation. The voices of large numbers of women, African Americans, Hispanic communities, and many other groups were heard loud and clear at the polls. We the People – ALL the People – are now more powerful than ever before.

We are praying today that concern for the good of our nation will overtake the polarized politics that recently drowned Capitol Hill in darkness and ineffectiveness. Our president and Congress have a new opportunity to forge a bond for the common good. We will do everything possible to support those efforts. Bravo to all our elected officials who put our nation above partisan politics.

Thank you all!

XXX