On Thursday, June 22, U.S. Senate leadership unveiled their version of a health care bill that would repeal and replace the federal Affordable Care Act. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has stated that he aims to bring the bill to a vote before the 4th of July recess, which begins at the end of the day on Friday, June 30. The U.S. bishops have expressed concerns with the bill, calling for senators to remove unacceptable flaws in the legislation that harm those most in need. Due to the bill's open-amendment process, your U.S. senators have the ability to significantly alter the measure from its present form before it is brought to a vote. Email your U.S. senators now……

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: 2017–2018 State Budget Signed Into Law; U.S. Bishops Say Federal Budget Places Poor in Jeopardy; USCCB Urges Senate to Consider More Reasonable Approach on Health Care Reform; Calls to Continue DACA Program Also Point to Need for Immigration Reform. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: Female Genital Mutilation Now Illegal in State Law; Governor Approves Local Government and School Sale Bill; OK2SAY Efforts to Promote School Safety Signed into Law; The Word from Lansing Column: Promoting the Common Good — A Look Back; USCCB: Senate Health Care Reform Bill Still Unacceptable; U.S. Bishops Urge Administration to Raise Cap on Refugee Admissions. Read more…

The Catholic Church and people of faith are called to meet and to serve those on the periphery of society. Throughout the 2017–2018 legislative session, the Michigan Catholic Conference has brought to the State Capitol a concern for those in need, seeking to protect human dignity and to uplift those who are struggling. The Word from Lansing column for July reflects on a number of MCC-supported policies that have been approved by lawmakers during the first half of this year. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: SCOTUS Decision in Lutheran School Playground Case 'Widen[s] the Space for Conversation'; Catholic Bishops Call U.S. Senate to Reject Changes to Social Safety Net in Health Care Bill; USCCB Responds to SCOTUS Action on Refugee Travel Ban; Convocation of Catholic Leaders Meets in Orlando This Weekend. Read more…

The United States Supreme Court ruled 7–2 in the case of Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia v. Comer that the State of Missouri’s policy to prevent state grant funding for playground equipment at a Lutheran preschool was, in the words of Chief Justice John Roberts, “odious to our Constitution.” Michigan Catholic Conference strongly supports the majority opinion, which strikes down an inherently discriminatory practice that punished a school for its religious mission. Following the ruling on Monday, June 26, MCC President and CEO Paul Long offered comments regarding the decision and how that decision may relate to a case moving through the Michigan courts. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: House and Senate Agree on Education Funding in 2017–2018 State Budget; Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Budget Approved by Lawmakers; Measure to Continue OK2SAY School Safety Program Passes the Michigan Legislature; Bill on Local Governments and School Sale Close to Governor's Desk; House Approves Measures Addressing Prostitution Exemption, Spina Bifida, and MI-POST; Shared Parenting Time Measure Continues Forward to the House of Representatives; Senate Opioid Package Approved by Full Senate; U.S. Bishops React to Health Care Reform, Possible Deportation of Iraqi Refugees. Read more…

All children have dignity, and the promotion of that dignity should be a critical priority in society. During the month of June, several days have been designated to raise awareness about threats to children, including the International Day of Innocent Child Victims of Aggression and the World Day Against Child Labor. In the last fifteen years, the Catholic Church has taken a leading role in efforts to protect young people and is continuing to take steps to improve safety in its institutions. In The Word from Lansing for June, Michigan Catholic Conference details more about this role and other legislative efforts to improve the situations of children and families. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: Omnibus Budget Bills Return to Conference Committees; Governor Signs Bill Allowing Expert Testimony in Human Trafficking Cases; The Word from Lansing Column: Raising Awareness About the Dignity of Children; Legislation Addressing Prostitution Exemption for Law Enforcement Clears House Committee; FGM Package Headed Soon for Governor's Desk; Senate Approves Knights of Columbus Fundraising Plate With Wide Support; Health Policy Committee Sends MI-Post Legislation On to Full House; Michigan House of Representatives Widely Supports Opioid Package. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: Lawmakers Greet Michigan's Bishops at State Capitol Luncheon; U.S. Bishops to Gather for Mass of Prayer and Penance for Survivors of Abuse; Conference Committees Pass Revised Budget Proposals for 2017–2018 Year; Human Trafficking Expert Testimony Legislation Awaits Governor's Consideration; Knights of Columbus Fundraising Bill Continues to Full Senate; After Passing the House, Senate Committee Next Stop for FGM Package; Sanctuary City Debate: MCC Neutral on Legislation But Raises Concerns; Opioid Measures Continue Forward in Both Chambers; Bill on Local Governments and School Sale Passes House Committee. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: USCCB Urges Broadening of HHS Mandate Exemption; Conference Committees to Meet Next Week on State Budget; Senate Committee Unanimously Reports Expert Witness Testimony Bill; Spina Bifida Information Bill to Be Considered Next By Full House; U.S. Bishops Regret President's Withdrawal From Paris Agreement; U.S. Bishops Provide Senators With Moral Principles for Health Care Reform. Read more…

As the U.S. Senate turns its attention to federal health care reform, the U.S. bishops have provided lawmakers with a series of moral principles to consider in their discussions. In a letter sent to all senators on June 1, the U.S. bishops wrote of the Church’s continued commitment to ensuring all have access to medical care and outlined their concerns with the legislation passed by the U.S. House, the American Health Care Act (AHCA). The five principles emphasized by the U.S. bishops for a good reform policy include universal access, respect for life, true affordability, the need for high quality and comprehensive medical care, and conscience protections. Read more…