FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 3, 2025

WASHINGTON—As the U.S. House of Representatives passes the Budget Reconciliation bill passed by the Senate on July 1, NETWORK Interim Executive Director Joan F. Neal reiterated the organization’s profound sadness as the bill moves forward:

“The damage done by this cruel, un-American bill will be devastating, intergenerational, and require decades-long reform to repair. People will die if the country robs millions of us of access to food and health care, creates even more obscene wealth inequality, and funds increasing detention, deportation, and ICE raids. The United States will be unrecognizable, and it will take a very long time to rebuild.

“This is a moral failure for the lawmakers who passed it and a betrayal of the trust of their constituents who elected them to look after their interests. They should be ashamed of themselves.”

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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