For Immediate Release: March 8, 2024

WASHINTON – In response to the State of the Union given by President Joe Biden on March 7, Mary J. Novak, NETWORK Executive Director, said:

“NETWORK, as a faith-based organization grounded in the Catholic social tradition, believes that for our democracy to be strong and vibrant, every person must have safe housing, healthy food, and a vibrant community, no matter what they look like or where we live. In other words, we want a world in which we can thrive in our full humanity–no exceptions. For far too long, the wealthy and powerful have manipulated our economy to benefit the few, while working families across the country struggle to put food on the table and keep their homes.

“President Biden, through the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, took meaningful steps to end the 40-year lie of ‘trickle-down’ economics by insisting the wealthy pay their fair share to support critical investment in middle-class and marginalized communities. We strongly affirm the President’s continued call to end America’s two-tiered tax system that rewards wealth over work by insisting billionaires pay taxes just like teachers, sanitation workers, and nurses. When everyone contributes their fair share, we can ensure that everyone thrives. We agree that it is past time for the United States, as the wealthiest nation in the world, to immediately end child poverty, ensure healthcare for all, expand affordable housing, transition our dirty energy system into a sustainable one to fight climate change, and so much more.“

Joan F. Neal, NETWORK Deputy Executive Director and Chief Equity Officer, said:

“We, too, remain concerned about the fragility of our democratic system after the insurrection of January 6, 2021. Democracy is under attack here in America and around the globe, and our freedoms are in jeopardy. Each generation must take up the cause of freedom, so we affirm President Biden’s call to immediately pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and to protect our country against political violence. We urge the Biden-Harris administration and our champions in Congress to continue to support and advance strong policies that protect our democracy including the sacred right to vote.”

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Founded by Catholic Sisters in 1972, in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, NETWORK is an inclusive, national, Catholic advocacy organization open to all who share our values, working to achieve equity and justice for everyone. Grounded in Gospel values and the Catholic social justice tradition, NETWORK transforms our society by shaping federal policies that achieve racial, economic, and social justice; serve the common good; and honor the dignity of all.