“The family—based on marriage between a man and a woman—is the first and fundamental unit of society and is a sanctuary for the creation and nurturing of children. It should be defended and strengthened, not redefined, undermined, or further distorted. Respect for the family should be reflected in every policy and program.”
– USCCB, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, no. 46
The USCCB website for the Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense Marriage includes every news release in relation to advocacy or public policy. Visit the USCCB Action Center to stay up-to-date on public policy issues, join our advocate network, and communicate with your elected officials.
Legislative
The USCCB supports policies which protect children online.
- Letter to Members of Congress (June 6, 2023)
The USCCB supports the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.
- Letter to Sen. Tuberville and Rep. Steube (March 3, 2023)
- Letter of Support to Members of Congress (February 16, 2021)
- Letter of Support to Members of Congress (October 27, 2020)
The USCCB opposes a resolution to revive the Equal Rights Amendment.
- Letter to the Senate (February 27, 2023)
- Letter to Members of Congress (March 12, 2021)
The USCCB opposes the Right to Contraception Act and the Respect for Marriage Act.
- Letter to Congress (November 23, 2022)
- Letter to the Senate (July 22, 2022)
- Letter to the House of Representatives (July 19, 2022)
The USCCB supports policies which enact “radical solidarity” with women and families.
- Letter to Members of Congress (October 26, 2022)
The USCCB supports strengthening the Child Tax Credit.
- Letter to the Senate (May 19, 2022)
The USCCB opposes the Equality Act.
- Bishop Konderla Discusses the Church’s Response to the Transgender Movement (March 19, 2021)
- Bishop Chairmen Say Equality Act Would Discriminate Against People of Faith and Threaten Unborn Life (February 23, 2021)
- Letter to Congress (February 23, 2021)
- Response to the House vote from five chairmen of USCCB Committees (May 2019)
- Three chairmen sent a letter of opposition in March 2019.
- Backgrounder about the Equality Act, prepared by USCCB staff
- Coalition Letter which the USCCB signed
The USCCB supports the goals of, and calls for key life and liberty protections in, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act.
- Letter to Members of Congress (October 21,2021)
The USCCB supports the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
- Letter of Support to Members of Congress (August 9, 2021)
The USCCB supports the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act.
- Letter of Support to Members of Congress (June 15, 2021)
The USCCB opposes the addition of a provision redefining “sex” in the Paycheck Fairness Act.
- Letter to the Senate (June 8, 2021)
- Letter to the House of Representatives (April 14, 2021)
The USCCB opposes a resolution to revive the Equal Rights Amendment.
- Letter to Congress (March 12, 2021)
The USCCB supports the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.
- Letter of Support to Members of Congress (February 16, 2021)
- Letter of Support to Members of Congress (October 27, 2020)
The USCCB supports the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act (Inclusion Act) which was re-introduced in both Houses in 2021.
- Bishop Chairmen Reaffirm Protections for Faith-Based Foster Care and Adoption Providers (March 15, 2021)
- Letter of Support to Senator Scott and Representative Kelly
- Backgrounder
- Letter of Support to Representative Kelly
- Letter of Support to Senator Enzi
The Conference commented on the Fairness for All Act.
- Letter to Representative Stewart (December 5, 2019)
The Conference commented on the Violence Against Women Act in 2019.
- Letter to Senators Feinstein, Durbin, Ernst, and Murkowski (March 9, 2022)
- Letter to Senators Graham and Feinstein (April 3, 2019)
The Conference supported the First Amendment Defense Act:
- Bishop Chairmen Urge Support for the ‘First Amendment Defense Act’ (March 14, 2018)
- Letter to Senator Lee in support of FADA
- 2016 Media Release (July 12, 2016)
- 2015 Media Release (June 18, 2015)
The Conference supported the Healthy Relationships Act of 2017:
- Letter of Support to Representative Hultgren (September 4, 2017)
The Conference supported the Russell Amendment to HR 4909, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2017.
- Letter to Speaker Ryan and Majority Leader McCarthy (May 9, 2016)
Current legislative priorities for marriage (USCCB Office of Government Relations)
- Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship
- PDF Version: for marriage, see pages vi, 3 (sec. 10), 14 (sec. 46), 21 (sec. 70) and 30
- Website: with handouts and more
- VIDEO: Archbishop Cordileone on faithful citizenship and marriage
- Defense of Marriage Press Releases (2003 – present)
- USCCB, Statement “Promote, Preserve, Protect Marriage” (2003, reaffirmed 2006)
Executive
Three chairmen wrote a letter to the U.S. Attorney General on April 30, 2020 seeking steps to protect people from the pornography industry during the pandemic.
Judiciary
Amicus Briefs:
- Fulton v. Philadelphia (2020): Supreme Court, Adoption by Same-sex Couples
- Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia (2019): Supreme Court, “sexual orientation”
- Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC (2019): Supreme Court, “gender identity”
- Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission (2017): Supreme Court, Religious Freedom
- Gloucester County School Board v. G.G.(2017): Supreme Court, “Transgender” student access
- Obergefell v. Hodges (2015): Supreme Court, Defense of Marriage
- United States v. Windsor (2013): Supreme Court, Defense of Marriage
- Hollingsworth v. Perry (2013): Supreme Court, California’s Proposition 8
Resources related to the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges (which redefined marriage):
- USCCB Statement from Archbishop Kurtz (en español)
- Main messages (en español) about marriage
- Nationwide bulletin insert (en español)
- Backgrounder (en español)
Visit the USCCB Action Center to stay up-to-date on public policy issues, join our advocate network, and communicate with your elected officials. And visit the Office of Government Relations for the wider goals of USCCB advocacy.