"The family - based on marriage between a man and a woman - is the first and fundamental unit of society and is a sanctuary for the creation and nurturing of children. It should be defended and strengthened, not redefined or undermined by permitting same-sex unions or other distortions of marriage. Respect for the family should be reflected in every policy and program." - USCCB, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, p. 26, no. 46
For more information, please see News Releases and Ecumenical & Interreligious Activities.
The Committee advocates in all three branches of government:
LEGISLATIVE
The USCCB supports policies which protect children online.
- Letter to Members of Congress (June 6, 2023)
The USCCB supports the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.
- Letter to Sen. Tuberville and Rep. Steube (March 3, 2023)
- Letter of Support to Members of Congress (February 16, 2021)
- Letter of Support to Members of Congress (October 27, 2020)
The USCCB opposes a resolution to revive the Equal Rights Amendment.
- Letter to the Senate (February 27, 2023)
- Letter to Members of Congress (March 12, 2021)
The USCCB opposes the Right to Contraception Act and the Respect for Marriage Act.
- Letter to Congress (November 23, 2022)
- Letter to the Senate (July 22, 2022)
- Letter to the House of Representatives (July 19, 2022)
The USCCB supports policies which enact "radical solidarity" with women and families.
- Letter to Members of Congress (October 26, 2022)
The USCCB supports strengthening the Child Tax Credit.
- Letter to the Senate (May 19, 2022)
The USCCB opposes the Equality Act which was re-introduced in 2021.
- Bishop Konderla Discusses the Church’s Response to the Transgender Movement (March 19, 2021)
- Bishop Chairmen Say Equality Act Would Discriminate Against People of Faith and Threaten Unborn Life (February 23, 2021)
- Letter to Members of Congress (February 23, 2021)
- Bishop Chairmen Respond to U.S. House Vote on Equality Act (May 17, 2019)
- Coalition Letter to Congress (May 7, 2019)
- Bishop Chairmen Reaffirm Authentic Human Dignity and Rights in Letter to Congress Opposing Equality Act (March 20, 2019)
- Letter to the House of Representatives (March 20, 2019)
- Letter to the Senate (March 20, 2019)
- Backgrounder (2019)
The USCCB supports the goals of, and calls for key life and liberty protections in, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act.
- Letter to Members of Congress (October 21, 2021)
The USCCB supports the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
- Letter of Support to Members of Congress (August 9, 2021)
The USCCB supports the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act.
- Letter of Support to Members of Congress (June 15, 2021)
The USCCB opposes the addition of a provision redefining "sex" in the Paycheck Fairness Act.
- Letter to the Senate (June 8, 2021)
- Letter to the House of Representatives (April 14, 2021)
The USCCB supports the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act (Inclusion Act) which was re-introduced in both Houses in 2021.
- Bishop Chairmen Reaffirm Protections for Faith-Based Foster Care and Adoption Providers (March 15, 2021)
- Letter of Support to Senator Scott and Representative Kelly
- Backgrounder
- Letter of Support to Representative Kelly
- Letter of Support to Senator Enzi
The Conference commented on the Fairness for All Act.
- Letter to Representative Stewart (December 5, 2019)
The Conference commented on the Violence Against Women Act.
- Letter to Senators Feinstein, Durbin, Ernst, and Murkowski (March 9, 2022)
- Letter to Senators Graham and Feinstein (April 3, 2019)
The Conference supported the First Amendment Defense Act:
- Bishop Chairmen Urge Support for the 'First Amendment Defense Act' (March 14, 2018)
- Letter to Senator Lee in support of FADA
- 2016 Media Release (July 12, 2016)
- 2015 Media Release (June 18, 2015)
The Conference supported the Healthy Relationships Act of 2017:
- Letter of Support to Representative Hultgren (September 4, 2017)
The Conference supported the Russell Amendment to HR 4909, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2017.
- Letter to Speaker Ryan and Majority Leader McCarthy (May 9, 2016)
EXECUTIVE
Three chairmen wrote a letter to the U.S. Attorney General on April 30, 2020 seeking steps to protect people from the pornography industry during the pandemic.
JUDICIARY
Amicus Briefs:
- Fulton v. Philadelphia (2020): Supreme Court, Adoption by Same-sex Couples
- Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia (2019): Supreme Court, "sexual orientation"
- Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC (2019): Supreme Court, "gender identity"
- Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission (2017): Supreme Court, Religious Freedom
- Gloucester County School Board v. G.G.(2017): Supreme Court, "Transgender" student access
- Obergefell v. Hodges (2015): Supreme Court, Defense of Marriage
- United States v. Windsor (2013): Supreme Court, Defense of Marriage
- Hollingsworth v. Perry (2013): Supreme Court, California's Proposition 8
Resources related to the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges (which redefined marriage):
- USCCB Statement from Archbishop Kurtz (en español)
- Main messages (en español) about marriage
- Nationwide bulletin insert (en español)
- Backgrounder (en español)
Visit the USCCB Action Center to stay up-to-date on public policy issues, join our advocate network, and communicate with your elected officials. And visit the Office of Government Relations for the wider goals of USCCB advocacy.