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Actions Taken at Federal Level to Protect the Unborn
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 On January 24, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (H.R. 7) was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives (238-183). FCCB is grateful for the members of the Florida Catholic Advocacy Network who responded promptly to our call to action. By contacting your Congressperson, you gave a voice to vulnerable children in the womb.
This important pro-life legislation places in permanent law a consistent federal policy restricting subsidies for abortion and abortion coverage. Since 1976, the Hyde Amendment and other policies governing the funding of abortion have enjoyed bi-partisan support. However, there have been inconsistencies in application, and most of these policies must be renewed every year. H.R. 7 corrects these inadequacies. The bill will also have to be passed by the U.S. Senate and signed by the president in order to become the law of the land.
Executive action was also taken last week to protect unborn life. On January 23, President Trump issued a memorandum restoring the Mexico City Policy and extending its requirements to all U.S. global assistance. First announced at the United Nation's 1984 Conference on Population in Mexico City, the Mexico City Policy requires foreign-based non-governmental organizations receiving U.S. aid to certify that they will not perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in developing nations. |
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President and Florida Legislature Target U.S. Newcomers
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Presidential Executive Actions
Within his first week in office, President Trump signed three separate executive orders aimed at immigrants and/or refugees. These actions begin the process of implementing the Administration's plans to:
- expand and fortify the existing border security between the United States and Mexico,
- increase immigration deportation and detention and punish cities and counties that choose not to cooperate with federal deportation efforts, and
- restrict refugee resettlement in the U.S., virtually shutting down the refugee admissions program for 120 days.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has responded with separate statements that identify concerns and express opposition to these executive orders. (See "Recent News from USCCB" section at the end of this newsletter.)
Anti-Immigrant Bills Filed by Florida Legislature
On January 24, HB 120 by Senator Travis Hutson (R-Palm Coast) was passed (5-4) by its first committee of reference. The bill provides that undocumented immigrants who commit crimes will be sentenced more harshly solely because of their undocumented status.
 In testimony before the committee and in a letter to the bill sponsor, Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director, expressed significant concern with the measure. By increasing a first degree misdemeanor to a third degree felony, SB 120 almost certainly will prevent some undocumented individuals from adjusting to a future legal status. This will have a detrimental impact on the economic and social stability of the individual and his or her family. Sheedy urged the Senate to instead send a resolution to Florida's congressional delegation in support of comprehensive immigration reform.
In the Florida House, Representative David Santiago (R-Deltona) has filed a bill (HB 427) that requires the state to withdraw from the federally-funded refugee program by December 31, 2017. This would require the federal government to transfer program coordination to a private agency or agencies. Restructuring this important program at a time of such policy upheaval at the federal level "will only exacerbate the strain to providers with a potentially negative impact on refugees, Cubans and other new arrivals, and also on the communities welcoming them," stated Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami, FCCB president, in recent correspondence to Governor Rick Scott and Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran.
ACTIVE ACTION ALERT: Tell Governor Scott and your Florida state representative that you support Florida's current resettlement program and urge continued coordination of the program by DCF.
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Civil Citation Bill Will Ensure Children Get a Second Chance
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Sen. Anitere Flores (R-Miami) and Rep. Larry Ahern (R-Seminole) are sponsoring bills SB 196 and HB 205 to ensure that all children in Florida receive equal access to civil citations, rather than arrest, when committing first-time, nonviolent misdemeanors.
Juvenile civil citations serve as an alternative to criminal arrest and provide a second chance to youth who make mistakes while still holding them accountable for their actions. Such diversion programs also benefit society by reducing crime, saving the state money and helping build a productive citizenry.
 On January 23, during a week of committee meetings prior to the start of the 2017 legislative session, SB 196 was passed (5-2) by its first committee of reference. Ingrid Delgado, FCCB Associate for Social Concerns/Respect Life, showed support for the proposal by joining Senators Flores, Rene Garcia (R-Hialeah) and Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville) and Representative Ahern, as well as clergy from several faiths, in a press conference about the bills on January 24. |
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Lawsuit Over Tax Credit Scholarship Comes to an End
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On January 18, the Florida Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal challenging Florida's Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship Program, effectively ending an ongoing lawsuit attempting to declare the program unconstitutional. The Court, in a 4-1 decision, upheld an August 2016 decision by the First District Court of Appeal that ruled the plaintiffs in McCall v. Scott did not have legal standing to challenge the FTC scholarships.
Since enacted by the Florida Legislature in 2001, the FTC Scholarship Program has been providing hope and opportunity to thousands of students from low-income households. Many of Florida's Catholic schools participate in the program, allowing our schools to make the high-quality educational experience they offer available to economically disadvantaged families of all backgrounds. During the 2016-2017 school year, 16,430 students, 19 percent of Florida's total Catholic school enrollment, are FTC scholarship recipients. |
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Catholic Schools Celebrated January 29-February 4
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 Catholic Schools Week is a time to recognize the gift of Catholic education as well as the Church's commitment to ensuring parental empowerment in education decision-making. During this annual weeklong celebration, the Catholic education community focuses on its important faith-building, academic and societal contributions. Through a variety of events, such as Masses, assemblies and open houses, Catholic schools commemorate the valuable benefits they provide to young people, our Church, our communities and nation.
Find more information and resources for Catholic Schools Week here. |
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Get Ready, Get Set for Catholic Days at the Capitol!
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Join us for Catholic Days at the Capitol, April 4-5, 2017 and put your faith into action. You can promote positive change in Florida's laws and strengthen the presence of Catholic values in the public square by joining with Floridians from across the state to advocate for the protection of human life and dignity. By participating in this event, you can give a voice to some of the most vulnerable and marginalized populations in our state!
Activities include:
- A legislative briefing on select policy issues
- Pre-scheduled meetings with lawmakers
- A luncheon for Catholic Days participants, Florida's bishops and legislators
- Group photos of each diocesan delegation with their bishop
- Tours of the current and historic capitol buildings
- Annual Red Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated by the bishops of Florida to pray for those working in the legislative, judicial and executive branches of government
Learn more and find diocesan registration forms and coordinator contact information. Pre-Registration is required. |
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Recent News from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
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January 30: President and Vice President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Stand in Defense of All Faiths in Response to Executive Order on Refugees
January 27: USCCB Committee on Migration Chair Strongly Opposes Executive Order Because It Harms Vulnerable Refugee and Immigrant Families
January 26: USCCB Committee on Migration Chair Responds to Trump Administration Sanctuary City Executive Order
January 25: Committee on Migration Chair Strongly Opposes Administration's Announcement to Build a Wall at U.S.-Mexico Border, Increase Detention and Deportation Forces
January 25: USCCB Spokeswoman Welcomes House Passage of 2017 No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act
January 23: USCCB Pro Life Chairman Applauds Reestablishment of Mexico City Policy
January 18: USCCB Chairman Calls on Congress to Preserve Gains in Healthcare Coverage While Also Emphasizing the Need to Protect Human Life, Conscience Rights and the Poor
January 13: USCCB Migration Chairman Expresses Disappointment over Abrupt End of "Wet Foot / Dry Foot" Policy, Which Has Long Benefitted Cuban Migrants and Refugees |
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January 31, 2017
Follow Us On
     
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Words of Wisdom
"I would like to encourage everyone to engage in constructive forms of communication that reject prejudice towards others and foster a culture of encounter, helping all of us to view the world around us with realism and trust."
-- Pope Francis
Message for World Communications Day
January 24, 2017
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The FCCB has released its 2017 Public Policy Priorities document. Under the advocacy areas of Life, Education, Health Care, and Family and Social Concerns, key issues are identified for the upcoming Florida Legislative Session, scheduled to begin March 7. Also provided are updated statistics on the Catholic Church in Florida.
