Bishop Chairmen Express Support for Additional COVID-Relief Package, Lay Out Priorities to Help Those Most in Need

WASHINGTON — Following proposals and discussions from the Biden Administration and members of Congress regarding a new COVID-relief package, several bishop chairmen of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) wrote to all members of Congress in support of an additional package.

The bishops, representing issue areas under the purview of the committees they chair within the Conference thanked the lawmakers for their efforts on relief measures in 2020, and proposed priorities for a new package this year given the continuing crises and challenges related to the COVID pandemic. 

The bishops wrote: “We especially encourage you to consider how additional COVID relief should promote the dignity and value of all human life and protect poor and vulnerable people who are most at risk.”

The bishops urged lawmakers to consider the following priorities:

• Hunger and Nutrition
• Housing Assistance
• Catholic and Non-Public Schools
• Pathway to Citizenship and Work Authorization
• Testing, Vaccinations, and Treatment for All
• Health Care
• Employment and Income Support
• Access to Stimulus Payments
• International Response
• State and Local Governments
• Safety in Prisons, Jails, and Detention Centers
• Racial Justice
• Charitable Sector

A copy of the full letter to Congress can be found here.

The following represent additional USCCB advocacy for COVID relief to address gaps in, and subsequent expiration of, various provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act:

1. Senate and House Committees on Appropriations (April 9, 2020)
2. Senate and House Committees on the Judiciary (April 9, 2020)
3. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and House Committee on Education and Labor (April 9, 2020)
4. Senate Committee on Finance, House Committee on Ways and Means, and House Committee on Energy and Commerce (April 9, 2020)
5. All members of Congress on moral framework for health care (May 7, 2020)
6. All members of Congress summarizing all COVID-related needs (July 30, 2020)
7. Senate and House leadership on Catholic education (August 5, 2020)
8. President and Congressional Leadership on Additional Relief (September 25, 2020)
9. President and Congressional Leadership on Continuing Negotiations (October 7, 2020).
10. Press Release Welcoming Passage of Bipartisan COVID-relief deal (December 28, 2020). 

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Media Contacts:
Chieko Noguchi or Miguel Guilarte
202-541-3200