{"id":41808,"date":"2021-08-11T14:25:17","date_gmt":"2021-08-11T18:25:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.worldcatholicnews.com\/bishop-senate-bill-must-not-allow-abortion-funding\/"},"modified":"2021-08-11T14:25:17","modified_gmt":"2021-08-11T18:25:17","slug":"bishop-senate-bill-must-not-allow-abortion-funding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.worldcatholicnews.com\/bishop-senate-bill-must-not-allow-abortion-funding\/","title":{"rendered":"Bishop: Senate bill must not allow abortion funding"},"content":{"rendered":"
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WASHINGTON (CNS) \u2014 The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill passed by the Senate makes \u201chistoric investments\u201d in transportation, climate change mitigation, job creation, expanded internet access and other areas, but several issues still need attention, said the U.S. bishops\u2019 domestic policy committee chairman.<\/p>\n

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City said the Catholic bishops \u201ccontinue to be resolute in our insistence that no taxpayer funding go to abortion.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bishops also disagree with a provision in the bill that \u201cwould advance a false understanding of gender and sexuality,\u201d he said, referring to a section that establishes grants to widen access to broadband.<\/p>\n

To be eligible for these grants, the bill says organizations that apply for them must comply with the program\u2019s anti-discrimination protections,\u201d including \u201csexual orientation\u201d and \u201cgender identity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Archbishop Coakley, chairman of the U.S. Conference of the Catholic Bishops\u2019 Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued the statement Aug. 10, shortly after the Senate OK\u2019d the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in a 69-30 bipartisan vote.<\/p>\n

The 2,702-page bill provides spending over a five-year period for roads and bridges, rail, transit, ports, airports, electric grid, water systems, broadband and other priorities. It includes $550 billion in new spending.<\/p>\n

The bill now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives. Members plan to end their summer break early and return to Washington Aug. 23 to consider it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are grateful for the bipartisan efforts of members of the Senate to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,\u201d Archbishop Coakley said. \u201cAs the bishops wrote to all members of Congress in April, we are especially interested in how the package affects those on the margins of society and protects God\u2019s creation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is critical that any proposal to expand health care coverage avoid an expansion of taxpayer funding of abortion,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

In the last week of July, the U.S. House passed about a dozen appropriations bills without the long-standing Hyde Amendment and other pro-life riders outlawing federal tax dollars from directly funding abortion except in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the woman would be endangered.<\/p>\n

The U.S. bishops and several national pro-life organizations criticized this move and urged senators to include the pro-life language in the measures before them.<\/p>\n

Regarding the broadband grant provision in the Senate\u2019s infrastructure bill, the wording to which Archbishop Coakley referred says:<\/p>\n

\u201cNo individual in the United States may, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity that is funded in whole or in part with funds 16 made available to carry out this (program).\u201d<\/p>\n

Archbishop Coakley said the bishops noted the provision \u201cwith disappointment,\u201d and added: \u201cWe affirm that Catholic institutions must be free to serve everyone with respect and dignity in accordance with our beliefs.\u201d<\/p>\n

The provision also has raised concerns among other religious leaders, including the Religious Freedom Institute.<\/p>\n

Institute officials told told the Deseret News: \u201cRural faith-based colleges and universities, small faith-based businesses, and faith-based hospitals and medical clinics, sometimes the only health care services for miles, could be forced to violate their religious conscience or be denied participation in the program.\u201d<\/p>\n

The April 22 letter Archbishop Coakley referenced was sent by him and four other USCCB committee chairmen to all members of the Senate and the House. In it the U.S. bishops offered \u201ca moral framework and points of emphasis for your consideration\u201d:<\/p>\n

\u2014 Create jobs for the poor and marginalized.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Ensure safe, \u201cdecent\u201d and affordable housing, and strengthen families.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Cultivate integral ecology.<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u201cWelcome, protect, promote and integrate migrants and refugees.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Respect the rights and dignity of every human life in health care.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Preserve religious liberty.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Expand broadband internet access.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Manage tax revenues and public spending in service of \u201cdevelopment and solidarity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Besides Archbishop Coakley, the letter was signed by these committee chairs: Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, religious liberty; Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, pro-life activities; Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, communications; and Auxiliary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville of Washington, migration.<\/p>\n

A number of the issues the bishops emphasized are part of the infrastructure bill, but Archbishop Coakley said the Catholic leaders \u201curge Congress to continue working together to address\u201d several others.<\/p>\n

These include, he said, investing in housing and rental assistance; continuing expansion of the earned income tax credit; making the child tax credit permanently refundable; expanding access to in-home care for family members; and supporting families through affordable child care options, paid sick leave and parental leave.<\/p>\n

The bishops also are pushing for legalization and a path to citizenship for those covered by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Temporary Protected Status, Deferred Enforced Departure programs and for others in the country illegally.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs work continues, we ask Congress to give consideration to these views and work together to promote the common good and the dignity of every human person,\u201d Archbishop Coakley said.<\/p>\n

Immigration reform and a host of other issues are addressed in the Senate Democrats\u2019 planned $3.5 trillion spending plan. At 4 a.m. (Eastern time) Aug. 11, the Democrats approved a blueprint for this plan in a party-line vote of 50-49.<\/p>\n

News reports said the Democrats \u201cplan to push the package through\u201d over the next few months by using \u201cbudget reconciliation.\u201d The process, created under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, allows a simple majority to pass certain types of legislation.<\/p>\n

\u2013 \u2013 \u2013<\/p>\n

Follow Asher on Twitter: @jlasher<\/p>\n<\/div>\n