FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 14, 2025

WASHINGTON—Joan F. Neal, NETWORK Lobby’s Executive Director, issues the following statement upon passage of the H.R. 1968, the FULL-YEAR CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS AND EXTENSIONS ACT, 2025:

“Today, ten Democratic Senators, led by Leader Chuck Schumer, voted to support a government budget that takes food from children, healthcare from seniors and veterans, $1 billion dollars of DC taxpayer funding for schools, hospitals, and emergency services, all while funding President Trump’s mass deportation plan. This travesty, fully enabled by the capitulation of Democratic members of the Senate, is unjust and unacceptable.

“Since taking power on January 20, the Trump Administration has engaged in the unlawful and unconstitutional defunding of key federal programs and the firing of essential personnel. Democrats gave away their power today instead of protecting their constituents by refusing to hand the President total control of our nation’s budget.

“Our country is dangerously moving towards authoritarian rule. We should all be outraged at the assault on our democracy, our freedoms, our values, and our form of government. We should also mourn for our nation as we all feel the pain that will surely result from this unjust budget.”

Founded by Catholic Sisters in 1972, NETWORK is an inclusive, national, Catholic advocacy organization open to all who share our values, working for justice and equity for everyone. For 53 years, NETWORK has educated, organized, and lobbied for federal policies that serve the common good and honor the dignity of all people.

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