For Immediate Release: June 25, 2019
Contact: Lee Morrow, [email protected], 202-601-7871

Catholic Social Justice Lobby: Vote Yes to Fund Census and Affordable Housing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives will vote on the Fiscal Year 2020 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development and Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations package, which provides critical funding for the 2020 Census and affordable housing programs. The Catholic Sisters and activists of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice strongly support this spending package. NETWORK issued the following statement:

Sister Quincy Howard, OP, Government Relations Specialist for NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice said:

“The House Commerce, Justice, and Science spending package for Fiscal Year 2020 offers a solid foundation for the national common good. This package includes sufficient funding to carry out the upcoming decennial census and will go a long way to ensure an accurate count. Fully accounting for everyone — especially those in hard-to-count populations like young children, immigrant communities, and rural residents — means that the next decade of federal funding can meet the needs of vulnerable communities and those living in poverty. As the single largest peacetime operation undertaken by the government, the census count has enough challenges to garner full participation throughout the country. The robust funding in the CJS appropriations bill responsibly ensures that lack of funding will not be an additional barrier to success. The Catholic Sisters and activists of NETWORK are proud to support the House CJS spending package that fully funds the 2020 Census. Vote yes and make this census count!”

Siena Ruggeri, Government Relations Associate for NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice said:

“The House Transportation and Housing and Urban Development package for Fiscal Year 2020 rejects President Trump’s budget proposals that would increase poverty and put families on the street. Instead, the House bill will use new funding to protect vulnerable groups from homelessness. While President Trump’s budget proposed cutting HUD funding by $9.6 billion, the House bill provides $5.9 billion in new funding for programs that provide affordable housing and community development. The Catholic Sisters and activists of NETWORK urge the House to vote yes on this T-HUD spending package that supports the common good.”

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NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice – advocates for justice inspired by Catholic Sisters – educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation. They have a 46-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good. www.networklobby.org