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January 16, 2026


 

Overview: Monday, January 19, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, when the nation remembers his selfless service to our country. Many people follow his example and honor his memory by participating in a day of service. It's a perfect opportunity to reach out to your local Catholic Charities agency ([link removed]) to consider ways you might be able to volunteer.

As senators leave town for recess, they failed this week to reach an agreement on extending the ACA subsidies. Meanwhile, Congress has passed six appropriations bills. Of those remaining, the Homeland Security measure remains mired in conflict over ICE funding. It is possible that the texts for Homeland Security, Defense, Labor-HHS-Education, and Transportation-HUD could be seen by Sunday, 12 days before the deadline on January 30, 2026.

This week, the CCUSA government relations team hosted a network call on the social services funding freeze that the administration had contemplated but later withdrew. CCUSA President and CEO Kerry Alys Robinson sent letters to Congress thanking them for passing the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act ([link removed]) and to President Trump urging him to sign the act into law ([link removed]). See "Trafficking survivors" below.

Second session of 119th Congress: Kerry Alys Robinson, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, sent a letter to members of Congress welcoming them back from the Christmas and New Year holidays ([link removed]). The letter included CCUSA's priorities for the 119th Congress and urged members to keep the following especially in mind in their work: addressing housing affordability; reversing SNAP cuts; restoring food assistance programs; ensuring funding for supplemental nutrition for women and children; and protecting school meals.

Economy: In the week ending January 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims ([link removed]) was 198,000, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 208,000 to 207,000. The 4-week moving average was 205,000, a decrease of 6,500 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since January 20, 2024, when it was 203,250. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 211,750 to 211,500.

Trafficking survivors: The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act ([link removed]) (H.R. 4323), which CCUSA advocated for in a support letter to the Hill ([link removed]), has passed both chambers and is awaiting the president's signature. The Act allows survivors to seek vacatur or expungement of convictions for crimes that are directly related to their trafficking victimization, reducing barriers to housing, counseling, and other support services for survivors that are hindered by certain convictions.

Religious workers: The Trump Administration issued an Interim Final Rule regarding religious workers ([link removed]). Those who hold religious worker (R-1) visas upon expiration will no longer be required to spend at least one full year outside the U.S. Now, the rule requires no minimum time outside the country before religious workers can return on a subsequent R-1 visa, provided they meet all other requirements.

 

From Pope Leo's address to members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See ([link removed]), January 9, 2026: "...conscientious objection allows individuals to refuse legal or professional obligations that conflict with moral, ethical or religious principles deeply rooted in their personal lives.This may be the refusal of military service in the name of non-violence, or the refusal on the part of doctors and healthcare professionals to engage in practices such as abortion or euthanasia.Conscientious objection is not rebellion, but an act of fidelity to oneself.At this moment in history, freedom of conscience seems increasingly to be questioned by States, even those that claim to be based on democracy and human rights.This freedom, however, establishes a balance between the collective interest and individual dignity.It also emphasizes that a truly free society does not impose uniformity but protects the diversity of consciences, preventing authoritarian tendencies and promoting an ethical dialogue that enriches the social fabric."

 

Q. On January 22, the USCCB is promoting a "Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children." What initiative did the bishops create to support pregnant and parenting mothers in need?

Please send your answers to The consecration of the U.S. to the Sacred Heart of Jesus ([link removed]).

 

Please share CCUSA's Washington Weekly ([link removed]) with your friends, family and networks so that we can build a movement of solidarity for those most in need!

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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