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December 5, 2025


 

Overview: The Government Relations team participated in the Annual State Catholic Conference Directors' gathering and Hill Day this week. Team members attended conference meetings and escorted State Catholic Conference directors to the offices of their members of Congress.

ACA tax credits: Members of Congress continue to debate how to deal with the enhanced premium tax credits from the Affordable Care Act that are set to expire at the end of the year. Democrats have called for a straight extension; Republicans have considered a short-term extension or a reform of the ACA. Agreement on a plan has not happened.

Economy: In the week ending November 29, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims ([link removed]) was 191,000, a decrease of 27,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since September 24, 2022 when it was 189,000. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 216,000 to 218,000. The 4-week moving average was 214,750, a decrease of 9,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 223,750 to 224,250.

Anti-human trafficking: This week, the House of Representatives passed the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act (HR 4323 ([link removed])), which CCUSA supports ([link removed]). The legislation provides a pathway for expunging certain non-violent criminal convictions for offenses that trafficking victims were forced to commit by their traffickers.

National summit on homelessness: On November 18, CCUSA convened policymakers, nonprofit leaders, local practitioners, philanthropists and engaged advocates for a national summit on homelessness. If you were unable to attend the summit, a video recording of the panel discussions ([link removed]) is available.

 

If God loves us with all his being, then we too must love one another. We cannot love God whom we do not see without loving our brother and sister whom we do see (cf. 1 Jn 4:20). Love for God without love for neighbor is hypocrisy; radical love for our neighbor, especially love for our enemies, without love for God, requires a "heroism" that would overwhelm and oppress us. In following Jesus, the ascent to God passes through descent and dedication to our brothers and sisters, especially the least, the poorest, the abandoned and the marginalized. What we have done to the least of these, we have done to Christ (cf. Mt 25:31-46). In the face of disasters, wars and misery, we bear witness to God's mercy to those who doubt him only when they experience his mercy through us. Pope Leo XIV, In unitate fidei: On the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea ([link removed]), 23 Nov 2025, No. 11

 

Q. Monday, Dec. 8, is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. The Catholic Church confirmed what apparition of Mary when she referred to herself as the Immaculate Conception?

Please send your answers to Pope Pius XI, 1925 ([link removed]).

 

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