Pope Francis addresses the U.S. Congress in September 2015.

"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 offered principles for budget reconciliation that support human sexuality and strengthen family formation.

The USCCB supports the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.

The USCCB has submitted letters to Congress on In Vitro Fertilization.

The USCCB supports the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act (Inclusion Act) which was re-introduced in both Houses in 2021.

The USCCB supports the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, but rejects the possibility of distorting it to support abortion.

The USCCB supports policies which protect children online.

The USCCB opposes a resolution to revive the Equal Rights Amendment.

The USCCB opposes the Right to Contraception Act and the Respect for Marriage Act.

The USCCB supports policies which enact "radical solidarity" with women and families.

The USCCB supports strengthening the Child Tax Credit.

The USCCB opposes the Equality Act which was re-introduced in 2021.

The USCCB supports the goals of, and calls for key life and liberty protections in, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act.

The USCCB supports the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act.

The USCCB opposes the addition of a provision redefining "sex" in the Paycheck Fairness Act.

The Conference commented on the Fairness for All Act.

The Conference commented on the Violence Against Women Act.

The Conference supported the First Amendment Defense Act:

The Conference supported the Healthy Relationships Act of 2017:

The Conference supported the Russell Amendment to HR 4909, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2017.

EXECUTIVE

Four chairmen wrote a letter to the Department of Health & Human Services on September 7, 2022 opposing proposed regulations implementing section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act that would include "sexual orientation and gendery identity" in its definition of "sex".

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:

Resources related to the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges (which redefined marriage):

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.