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February 7, 2025


 

News

Overview: This week, a judge put a temporary restraining order on the administration's freeze of federal assistance funds, and just yesterday another judge blocked the administration's plan to have federal workers accept a buyout in return for resigning their positions. A third judge declared an indefinite pause of the Executive Order attempting to revoke birthright citizenship of children of undocumented migrants. The CCUSA government relations team visited this week the offices of seven members of Congress noting CCUSA's legislative priorities for the 119th Congress ([link removed]) and urging members to protect safety net programs from federal funding freezes ([link removed]) and reconciliation offsets.

New executive action: President Trump released an executive action today - Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies ([link removed]) - that requires the department and agency heads to review all funding provided to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to determine if the NGOs are engaging in any actions that undermine the national interest.

Federal budget: Congress faces a March 14 deadline to fund the government and avoid a shutdown. As it waits for the House of Representatives to come up with a plan, the Senate is pushing forward on a budget and reconciliation package--which would include billions of dollars for border security and defense.

Amicus Curiae brief: CCUSA filed an amicus curiae brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor and Industry Review Commission. The brief seeks to teach the Court that charitable works are at the center of the Church's mission, Bishops are responsible for those works within their Dioceses, Catholic Charities agencies perform the Bishops' charitable works, and proselytizing while performing charitable works is strictly prohibited by the Catholic faith.

Economy: In the week ending February 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims ([link removed]) was 219,000, an increase of 11,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 207,000 to 208,000. The 4-week moving average was 216,750, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 212,500 to 212,750.

 

Trivia

Q. On Monday, Feb. 10, the Church celebrates a saint who has a twin, who is also a saint. Can you name them?

Please send your answers to Candlemas Day ([link removed]) whereby candles are blessed on that day. Also, best wishes to Sister Mary, who not only is a trivia master but also celebrated her birthday on Feb. 2.

 

Connections

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Text "CCUSA" to 855-564-3197 to receive our action alerts! You can also access advocacy opportunities through our Action Center ([link removed]).

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If you would like to help further Catholic Charities' commitment to alleviating, reducing, and preventing poverty, you can contribute here ([link removed]).

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