Catholic Lobby Endorses American Rescue Plan, Condemns Antiquated Senate Rules

For Immediate Release: February 26, 2021
Contact: Lee Morrow, lmorrow@networklobby.org, 202-601-7856

Catholic Lobby Endorses American Rescue Plan, Condemns Antiquated Senate Rules
Sr. Simone: “Voters did not send Senators to Washington to sit on their hands and blame procedure!“

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Catholic Sisters and advocates of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice wholeheartedly support the American Rescue Plan Act and expect every Member of the House to vote for this common good legislation. When this bill becomes law, we will finally have a national vaccination program, families will receive much needed direct financial support, and essential workers will be protected.

NETWORK applauds Speaker Pelosi for keeping the $15 minimum wage in this legislative package, regardless of antiquated Senate rules that will try to stop 32 million workers from getting a much needed raise. Senators must do everything in their power to ensure that Americans are paid fairly.

Moreover, NETWORK celebrates the bill’s expansion of the Child Tax Credit. Many families with young children are struggling to keep a roof over their family’s head and food on the table. Families receiving up to $3,600 per child would be a lifeline. This alone can reduce child poverty in the U.S. by 45%. The entire American Rescue Plan would eliminate over 51% of child poverty, according to the Center on Poverty & Social Policy at Columbia University.

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

“My Catholic faith demands that we must individually and collectively help those in need. More Americans than ever before need help right now, and the American Rescue Plan is the faithful answer to those in need. Every single Member of Congress should support this bill. Ending a pandemic and protecting our people is not a partisan endeavor.

“But I lament the fact that antiquated Senate rules can stop 32 million workers from getting a much needed raise, or stop parents from getting their tax credits in monthly checks. Voters did not send Senators to Washington to sit on their hands and blame procedure! Catholic voters expect their Senators to find a way to take meaningful action to care for our struggling families by raising wages and ending child poverty.”

###

NETWORK, a national Catholic Social Justice lobby, which educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation, has a nearly 50-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good.