“[W]e are called to honour the poor and to give them precedence, out of the conviction that they are a true presence of Jesus in our midst. ‘As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’ (Mt. 25:40).” -Message of Pope Francis for the Second World Day of the Poor, June 13, 2018
The USCCB supports policies that protect human life and dignity, strengthen families, encourage and reward work, preserve a safety net for the vulnerable, and build public/private partnerships to overcome poverty. Federal policies should form a "Circle of Protection" around programs that serve poor and vulnerable people in our communities and avoid placing additional burdens on people and families struggling to live in dignity.
Letter to Congress Regarding Improvement of Child Tax Credit
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop William E. Lori, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, and Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, May 19, 2022
Backgrounder on the Importance of the Social Safety Net
January 2020
Backgrounder on Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
February 2011
A Commitment to All Generations: Social Security and the Common Good
March 1999
Statement on Social Security
Administrative Board of the United States Catholic Conference, March 1983
Letter to Congress Regarding Policies to Support Women and Families
Archbishop William E. Lori, Archbishop Paul s. Coakley, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, and Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, October 26, 2022
Statement: After "Dobbs," Congress Must Come Together to Protect Life and Promote the Common Good
August 1, 2022
Letter to Congress Regarding Improvement of Child Tax Credit
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop William E. Lori, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, and Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, May 19, 2022
Comments Submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service Regarding Proposed Rulemaking on Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Charities USA, April 21, 2022
U.S. Bishops Urge President to Rescind Divisive Memorandum Excluding Undocumented from Inclusion in Apportionment of U.S. House of Representative Seats
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, July 22, 2020
Chairmen of USCCB’s Committees on Migration and Domestic Justice and Human Development Express Deep Concern Over New Rule on Individuals and Families that Access Public Benefits
Bishop Joe S. Vásquez and Bishop Frank J. Dewane, August 13, 2019
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives Opposing Requirement to Include Taxpayer's Social Security Number to Claim Child Tax Credit
Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, Sr. Donna Markham, March 16, 2016
Letter to Congress on Improving Earned Income and Child Tax Credits
Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski and Sr. Donna Markham, July 14, 2015
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives on the Child Tax Credit Improvement Act
Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, Bishop Eusebio L. Elizondo, and Reverend Larry Snyder, July 24, 2014
Letter to U.S. Senate on Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit for Low-Income Working Families
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, July 25, 2012
Letter to Congress on Budget Reconciliation Cuts to Poverty Programs
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, May 8, 2012
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives on Child Tax Credit for Immigrant Families
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, April 17, 2012
Letter to Congress on Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act, Unemployment Insurance, and Child Tax Credit
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, February 9, 2012
Letter to Congress on Year End Earned Income and Child Tax Credit
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, December 6, 2010
Letter to U.S. Senate on Earned Income and Child Tax Credit
Bishop William F. Murphy, September 20, 2010
Testimony Before U.S. House of Representatives on Reauthorization of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant Program (TANF)
Kathleen A. Curran, Policy Advisor, February 10, 2005
Letter to U.S. Senate on Personal Responsibility and Individual Development for Everyone Act (PRIDE)
March 26, 2004
Letter to U.S. Senate on Work, Opportunity, and Responsibility for Kids Act (WORK) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Re-Authorization
October 28, 2002
Letter to U.S. Senate on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF) Re-authorization
September 20, 2002
Letter to U.S. Senate on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF) Re-authorization
June 17, 2002
Letter to U.S. House of Representative on Personal Responsibility, Work and Family Promotion Act
May 15, 2002
Testimony Before U.S. House of Representatives on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF) Re-authorization
Kathleen A. Curran, Policy Advisor, April 11, 2002
Letter to Congress on Economic Stimulus
Cardinal Roger Mahoney, October 15, 2001
A Commitment to All Generations: Social Security and the Common Good
March 1999
Statement on Social Security
Administrative Board of the United States Catholic Conference, March 1983
Letter to Congress on Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Bishop Robert E. Barron and Bishop Michael E. Burbidge, June 2, 2023
Letter to Congress on Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, December 6, 2017
Letter to Congress on Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, November 22, 2017
Letter to Congress on Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Bishop Oscar Cantú, and Bishop George V. Murry, November 9, 2017
Letters to Congress on Tax Reform
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, October 25, 2017