Catholic Sisters and Advocates Respond to State of the Union and Budget Negotiations

For Immediate Release: February 7, 2019
Contact: Lee Morrow, lmorrow@networklobby.org, 202-601-7871

Catholic Sisters and Advocates Respond to President Trump’s State of the Union Address
Sr. Simone: “Unity on the President’s terms would mean turning our backs on immigrant communities, working families, and the most vulnerable among us.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to President Trump’s State of the Union address, the Catholic Sisters and Advocates of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice issued the following statement:

“In last night’s State of the Union Address, President Trump called for unity, but in the same breath demonstrated his true intent – division,” said Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. “Unity on the President’s terms would mean turning our backs on immigrant communities, working families, and the most vulnerable among us. It is my duty as a Christian to unite with those who are in need and under attack. We will continue our struggle to mend the gaps that the President seeks to widen. We call on Congress and the Administration to join us in working for the 100%.”

“President Trump’s State of the Union failed to mention the disastrous shutdown that he forced on the American people and his threat that he may shutdown the government again in February. The Trump Shutdown threw millions of low income Americans, homeless veterans, and small business owners into economic emergency,” said Tralonne Shorter, Senior Government Relations Advocate for NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. “Further, President Trump showed his true colors about his racist ideology, when he lifted up his white guests as heroes and role models, but only showed Black people as beneficiaries of new criminal justice policies. A true call for unity, and adherence to faith teaching, means recognizing the dignity of all people rather than promoting shutdowns or public narratives that treat people of color as less than.”

“Last night, President Trump claimed he supports immigration, but his administration has put up every possible obstacle to stop it, including harsh asylum policies and the severe reduction in the number of refugee admissions,” said Sister Mary Ellen Lacy, DC. “The President claims to recognize the value of immigrants, but his other words and actions marginalize their very existence. We need our laws to reflect his stated values, not his unsubstantiated, inflated fears. How can the President expect the nation to unify while he tears immigrant families apart and sabotages the God given dignity of these parishioners, family members and friends?”

“The President’s address was a clarifying moment – the concerns of Americans aren’t being heard, and it’s time to restore our democratic system so that they are,” said Sister Quincy Howard, OP. “The landmark voting rights legislation in Congress, the For the People Act, includes reforms that would make it easier to vote and would hold elected officials accountable to the public trust. Catholic Social Justice calls for all to participate in a democratic society by voting, and that right must be protected.”

“President Trump lied to the American people about the state of the economy,” said Laura Peralta-Schulte, Senior Government Relations Advocate for NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. “We weren’t tricked. The GOP Tax Cuts are hurting workers while helping billionaires. The President promised that his tax cuts would give Americans a $4,000 pay raise, and that obviously didn’t happen. Companies kept that money to enrich themselves. The American voters know the State of our Union!”

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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 46-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good. www.networklobby.org