Iowa Catholic Conference Newsletter, April 4, 2025

Second “funnel” deadline report

Both chambers focused on committee work last week, as Friday was the second “funnel” deadline when a bill is required to have passed its first chamber and a committee on the other side. Budget and tax legislation is not subject to deadlines.

The “human smuggling” bill, HF 572, was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 14-6. The legislation has already passed the House and is now eligible for debate in the Senate. The ICC encourages to you to go to our Action Center and contact your member of the Iowa Senate in opposition.

The bill could be interpreted by overzealous law enforcement to criminalize providing basic charity to immigrants. It is asking a lot from local law enforcement personnel - who don’t work with immigration law everyday - to distinguish who is “smuggling and harboring” and who is just riding together in the same car.

SF 473, providing conscience protections for prospective foster care and adoptive parents, passed the House Judiciary Committee. The ICC spoke in support of the proposal, which would ensure that potential foster care/adoptive parents are not excluded because of their moral or religious beliefs by the state Health and Human Services Department or their contractors. There is evidence that this has already happened in the state. The bill has passed the Senate and we are working to get it to the floor of the House for debate. The legislation would not change Iowa’s law which requires placements to be made in the best interest of the child.

HF 248 was advanced by the Senate Workforce Committee by a unanimous vote. The bill requires businesses to treat employees who adopt a child under six years of age in the same manner as a biological parent. The legislation has already passed the House.

The Senate Education Committee approved HF 189 on the last day of the funnel deadline. It will allow nonpublic school students to participate in a sport in the local public school if the nonpublic school has not offered the activity for two years.

Unfortunately, HF 807, a bill to publicize the existence of perinatal hospices for very ill and young children, was returned by a subcommittee to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee without a recommendation.

It’s looking like a push is needed to wrap up the so-called “Baby Olivia” bill (HF 391/SF 175), which requires schools to show a video on fetal development. The Senate passed its version but legislators haven’t agreed on all the details yet. The ICC supports the bill because it will help students better understand the miracle of life and how it develops in the womb. Contact your legislator here.

We anticipate that several of the above bills will be debated on the floor of a chamber next week.

Cell phone ban while driving

And by the way, put down that cell phone in the car! Gov. Reynolds has signed legislation that prohibits the use of electronic devices while driving. This proposal was one of the governor’s priorities for the session.

Fight the termination of lifesaving aid

Catholic Relief Services chapters are joining together for two weeks of action and a Holy Week fast from April 7-19. The purpose is to fight the sudden termination of lifesaving humanitarian aid overseas and to fast in solidarity with the lives of our brothers and sisters around the world. We’re thinking of putting aside more time for silent prayer. You can sign up by using the QR link.

Here's a federal action alert on Medicaid and SNAP as well.

USCCB issues joint report on the potential impact of mass deportations on Christian families

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Department of Migration and Refugee Services, in collaboration with the National Association of Evangelicals, World Relief, and the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, has released a report entitled “One Part of the Body: The Potential Impact of Deportations on American Christian Families.” This comprehensive analysis highlights the profound impact that mass deportations could have on Christian families and congregations across the United States if carried out in the way some policymakers have proposed.

The report underscores that roughly one in twelve Christians in the United States—and one in five Catholics specifically - either face the risk of deportation or live in a household with someone who does.

Key findings include:

• Over ten million Christian immigrants in the United States are vulnerable to deportation, including those with temporary protections that could be withdrawn.

• Nearly seven million Christians who are U.S. citizens live in households with someone at risk of deportation.

• 80% of immigrants vulnerable to deportation identify as Christians, with 61% being Catholic and 13% identifying as evangelical Christians.

Ultimately, the report calls for a thoughtful and compassionate approach to immigration policy that promotes justice, while also protecting the God-given dignity of every person and the sanctity of families.

Save the date – Iowa March for Life

The 2025 Iowa March for Life is set for the state Capitol on Saturday, June 21.