Catholic Lobby Welcomes Omnibus Package, Laments Key Priorities Omitted

For Immediate Release: December 21, 2022
Contact: Colleen Ross, cross@networklobby.org, 202-601-7877

Catholic  Lobby Welcomes Omnibus Package, Laments Key Priorities Omitted
Mary J. Novak: “In this season of Advent, we prepare to celebrate new life, there is much to welcome in the omnibus package“

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congress released the text of the FY2023 omnibus spending package. For months, NETWORK advocates across the country mobilized to contact their members of Congress, write Letters to the Editor, and attend rallies supporting the inclusion of key policy priorities such as the expanded Child Tax Credit, protections for pregnant workers, and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented community members, in this $1.7 trillion package.

Laura Peralta-Schulte, Senior Director of Public Policy and Government Relations, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, said:

“We thank Senators Leahy, Shelby and Rep. DeLauro for their tireless work crafting an omnibus bill for FY2023 that makes key investments in healthcare, housing, criminal legal systems reform that will make a difference to millions of children and families. These changes bridge significant racial equity gaps and set our country on a course toward greater health and well-being for Black and Brown communities. This bill also includes critical democracy reforms as well as investments in voting infrastructure to ensure free and fair elections. Overall, this is a significant accomplishment in a polarized Congress.

“However, we are extremely disappointed in the omission of Child Tax Credit expansion, criminal legal system reforms like the EQUAL Act, and a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and other long-term undocumented immigrants. NETWORK will continue to make these critical justice issues top legislative priorities into the future.”

Mary J. Novak, Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, added:

“In this season of Advent, we prepare to celebrate new life, there is much to welcome in the omnibus package. As Pope Francis said in his address to Congress in 2015, public service is a sacred calling in which lawmakers must ‘seize the moment in a spirit of openness and pragmatism,’ and keep ‘the interests of all in mind.’

“Throughout the 117th Congress, NETWORK has focused our work on closing racial equity gaps in the US created by racist systems and structures and in this omnibus, some progress is made. NETWORK welcomes the new investments in Black maternal health and providing states the option to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage for new mothers and their babies to end the Black Maternal Health crisis. Likewise, we welcome increased funding for criminal legal system reforms to move us closer to ending mass incarceration and welcoming returning citizens wholly back into our communities.

“Two key NETWORK priorities left behind by Congress are needlessly painful and must be remedied immediately. The fully refundable, monthly Child Tax Credit lifted millions of out of poverty and must be reinstated as soon as possible next year. We also must immediately resolve the perilous status of Dreamers and other long-term undocumented community members through targeted immigration reforms. The lives of so many hang in the balance; we urge Congress to work in a bipartisan manner on behalf of the common good.”

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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. With a 50-year record of accomplishment and more than 100,000 supporters across the country, NETWORK lobbies for federal programs and policies that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good. www.networklobby.org