"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 the most up-to-date information, please see Defense of Marriage News Releases.
The Subcommittee advocates in all three branches of government:
LEGISLATIVE
The USCCB supports the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.
- Letter of Support to Senator Loeffler and Representative Steube (October 27, 2020)
The USCCB opposes the Equality Act which was re-introduced in 2019.
- U.S. Bishops' Chairmen Respond to U.S. House Vote on Equality Act (May 17, 2019)
- U.S. Bishops’ Chairmen Reaffirm Authentic Human Dignity and Rights in Letter to Congress Opposing Equality Act (March 20, 2019)
- Letter to the House of Representatives
- Letter to the Senate
- Backgrounder
- Coalition Letter to Congress
The USCCB supports the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act (Inclusion Act) which was re-introduced in both Houses in January 2019.
The Conference commented on the Violence Against Women Act in 2019.
- Letter to Senators Graham and Feinstein (April 3, 2019)
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)
The Conference supported the Healthy Relationships Act of 2017:
- Letter of Support to Representative Hultgren (September 4, 2017)
The Conference supported the First Amendment Defense Act:
- U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference 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)
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.
