Catholic Charities USA Legislative Agenda for 110th Congress

In the Social Policy advocacy work of Catholic Charities USA, particular focus is given to the needs of special populations, including but not limited to children, the elderly, the disabled, immigrants, and those who live in both rural and urban communities. These priorities are guided by the basic belief in the inherent dignity of the human person and the responsibility of society to ensure that dignity in all aspects of public policy. It is our tradition and belief that our country, through its policies and federal budget, must demonstrate a priority for attending to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable persons in society.

While advocacy on hunger, housing, family, economic security, and health care have been established as major priorities, the importance of advocacy on federal budget and taxation issues cannot be understated. The federal budget is a moral statement to the people of our country. It is through the budget that the values of our society are expressed. Therefore, this budget must guarantee that the basic human needs of its people are met. Policies must be advanced that not only shape but support these moral principles. Choices made in the budget process about what is funded as well as how and who will pay for it must be judged by whether the life and dignity of the human person and the family are protected or undermined. In all policies we must ensure that the common good is served.

HUNGER

All persons should have adequate food and water to nourish their bodies. This is essential to the dignity of the human person. It is unacceptable in a nation as bountiful as ours that children, adults, and senior citizens experience food insecurity that puts their physical, mental and developmental health at risk. Catholic Charities USA supports:

• Strengthening the Food Stamp Program to better assist the working poor and the elderly.
• Protecting funding for critical food programs that serve low-income families, including the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the Community Food and Nutrition Program.
• Ensuring that federal nutrition programs meet the unique needs of rural families.

HEALTH CARE

Every person should have access to equitable and affordable health care. This is essential to safeguard human life, and is a basic human right. Special attention must be given to meeting the basic health needs of the poor and marginalized. Health care reform that addresses such needs is a matter of fundamental justice. Catholic Charities USA supports:

• Providing adequate funding for health care for our nation’s most vulnerable citizens.
• Maintaining the integrity and strength of the Medicaid program.
• Removing new restrictions to Medicaid that create barriers for low-income families.
• Providing adequate funding for State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to expand coverage for all eligible children.
• Reforming SCHIP to make it easier for eligible children to apply.
• Supporting policies that provide integrated mental health and substance abuse treatment.

HOUSING

Every person should have a safe, decent, affordable place to live. The home is the very foundation for raising children, seeking comfort, and preparing oneself to participate in broader society through work, education, and civic engagement. Catholic Charities USA recognizes that America is facing a growing affordable housing crisis, which has displaced over three million of our brothers and sisters into homelessness. Catholic Charities USA supports:

• Providing adequate funding for federally subsidized housing programs.
• Homeownership and strengthening programs aimed at increasing homeownership.
• Establishing a National Housing Trust Fund.
• Comprehensive reform of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Program.

FAMILY ECONOMIC SECURITY

All persons should have the opportunity to adequately provide for themselves and their families. The family is the indispensable and essential unit of our society. Policies must promote and strengthen the economic security of families, including assisting fathers in remaining connected to their families. Catholic Charities USA supports:

• Increasing the minimum wage and ensure that it is automatically increased to keep pace with inflation.
• Improving the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
• Promoting policies that support and strengthen families, including low-income fathers.
• Expanding employment and training opportunities for low-income workers.
• Improving the protection and care of abused, neglected, and abandoned children and youth.
• Providing adequate funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG).
• Ensuring access to quality early education for all children.
• Improving the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to be more inclusive for more workers.
• Preserving funding for the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG).
• Supporting comprehensive immigration reform that protects vulnerable families.