The U.S. Catholic bishops have issued several action alerts asking for contacts with Congress related to the COVID-19 crisis.
You can find the first two action alerts at https://votervoice.net/USCCB/home:
Increasing the SNAP (food stamp) benefit. Families are struggling to put food on the table during this time of economic crisis. Churches and charities are working overtime to meet this rising need, but more must be done. SNAP effectively addresses hunger by delivering resources directly to low-income households to help families keep food on the table. It’s also a proven tool to boost the economy - every dollar spent on SNAP generates between $1.50 and $1.80 in economic activity. Congress has the opportunity to protect those who are most vulnerable by strengthening SNAP for the duration of the economic crisis.
Ask the administration for a COVID-19 vaccine free from abortion. Among the dozens of vaccines currently in development, some are being produced using old cell lines that were created from the cells of aborted babies. We see no need to exploit the bodies of aborted children as other cell lines or processes that do not involve cells from abortions are available. Along with leaders of many healthcare, bioethics, and pro-life organizations, we urge the Administration to make sure that vaccines for COVID-19 are developed ethically and are free from any connection to the exploitation of abortion.
Another action alert is available at: https://justiceforimmigrants.org/category/action-alerts/.
Asking Congress to pay attention to the needs of the most vulnerable. As Catholics, we are called to be a Church for all God’s children. We affirm the inherent dignity of every person and our duty as Christians to work for the common good of all God’s people during this pandemic. Many people who have been left out of safety and welfare legislation, so we are encouraging Congress to support refugees and immigrants in the next COVID-19 relief package.
STATE LAW ON SEX ED FUNDING STRUCK DOWN
A state law that stopped Iowa abortion providers from receiving federal funds to teach sex education has been struck down in district court. It was ruled that the law violated Planned Parenthood’s equal protection rights. The judge also noted that the law exempted some abortion providers.