Iowa Catholic Conference Newsletter, May 26, 2025

‘Big’ bill goes to the Senate

The administration’s “One Big Beautiful” tax and spending bill has passed the U.S. House and goes to the Senate for consideration. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), encouraged lawmakers to uphold human life and dignity and the common good.

“My brother bishops have sent a comprehensive letter to Congress commending parts of the budget proposal that will support human life and dignity, while also strongly encouraging them to reconsider provisions that will harm the poor and disadvantaged, our immigrant brothers and sisters, and our environment … I also underscore the grave concerns expressed by my brother bishops and implore you to address the real and substantial harms that would result from provisions in this bill before it advances further. Raising income taxes on the working poor, cutting nutrition and healthcare programs for those most in need, and eliminating investments in environmental stewardship would place a terrible burden on the least of our brothers and sisters,” said Archbishop Broglio.

The faithful are encouraged to write to their elected members of Congress on these issues here. Iowa’s House delegation voted for the bill.

Parents for Educational Choice group created

Our partners at the Iowa Alliance for Choice in Education are forming an affiliated group called “Parents for Educational Choice.” The mission is to empower parents by advocating for school choice in Iowa and creating lasting change that benefits all students. Part of the group’s role will be to advocate in support of Iowa’s Education Savings Account program, which is now available for all students. If you’d like to get on a contact list for more information, scan this QR code:

Podcast on Pope Leo and the Church’s engagement

Iowa Catholic Conference Executive Director Tom Chapman was interviewed for The Iowa Podcast about Pope Leo and how the Catholic Church engages with society. Check it out here.

Protecting pregnant mothers and their children can never be considered ‘obsolete’

“It is deeply troubling and inexcusable that measures intended to ensure the basic safety of pregnant mothers and their young children while in government custody could be rescinded with such indifference toward the vulnerability of those involved,” said Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, and Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of Toledo, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities. The bishops were responding to the Trump Administration’s recent rescission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance for addressing the heightened needs of pregnant and postpartum women and their newborn children while in CBP custody.

The rescinded policy established minimum standards of care, including that mothers and their babies receive food, water, formula, safe places to sleep, and regular monitoring, as well as that they be placed in the least restrictive setting possible. The rationale given for the rescission was that the guidance was “obsolete or misaligned with current Agency guidance and immigration enforcement priorities.” Related guidance pertaining to custodial considerations for medically at-risk individuals was also rescinded. No new guidance was promulgated in their place.

The administration has also terminated all but two of Catholic Relief Services’ McGovern-Dole Food for Education school feeding programs - cutting off daily meals for nearly 800,000 children in 11 countries beginning in July. For many, this was their only meal of the day. You can contact your members of Congress in opposition here.

And finally,

On Memorial Day, we remember those who have died in service to our country or in service to others. May it be a blessed day for you and your family.