Last week, a federal ruling in North Dakota flew under the radar that allows Catholic medical professionals, hospitals and organizations the right to refuse performing or providing insurance coverage for gender transition procedures, or insurance coverage for gender transition drugs, if it violates their religious beliefs. The ruling was on a 2016 lawsuit filed by…Read More
The leaders of two U.S. bishops’ committees applauded President Joe Biden’s executive order reversing a policy of the previous administration that excluded unauthorized immigrants from the census count. “We welcome this return to more than a century of American precedent that ensures all residents will be counted and included in the census and apportionment,” said…Read More
Gov. Kevin Stitt’s third year in office will serve as a fresh start for the Republican who closed out the last legislative session at odds with leaders of Oklahoma’s Legislature. Forced to respond to the worst health crisis in modern history, the pandemic, budget woes and tension between the governor and legislative leaders derailed most…Read More
This evening, the Iowa State Senate passed SF 159 by a 26-21 vote. The legislation is a comprehensive education reform package which expands charter schools and public school open enrollment, doubles the tuition tax credit for parents, and creates an Education Savings Account program which will allow families to customize their child’s education. Statement from…Read More
The day before the March for Life, several senators emphasized protecting the human dignity of the unborn. In remarks on the Senate floor on Thursday, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said that “being pro-life isn’t just the right to be born; it also means the right to live and to thrive,” arguing that policies like an…Read More
Catholic and pro-life leaders condemned the White House’s planned repeal of the Mexico City Policy on Thursday. The policy prevents the use of tax dollars from going to foreign organizations that perform or promote abortions. The White House announced on Thursday morning that President Joe Biden would be repealing the policy later in the day,…Read More
Gov. Kevin Stitt’s third year in office will serve as a fresh start for the Republican who closed out the last legislative session at odds with leaders of Oklahoma’s Legislature. Forced to respond to the worst health crisis in modern history, the pandemic, budget woes and tension between the governor and legislative leaders derailed most…Read More
An appeals court last week ruled for a second time against a California church which challenged the state’s rules barring in-person worship services for much of the state, deciding that a total ban on indoor worship services in most areas of the state is justified to block the spread of coronavirus. The same court ruled…Read More
A Kentucky bill requiring appropriate medical care for babies surviving attempted abortions became law on Friday. Gov. Andy Bashear, D, neither signed nor vetoed the “Born-Alive” bill that passed the state legislature. The bill, SB9, requires that infants who are born alive after an attempted abortion be given appropriate medical care. Kentucky’s legislature passed the…Read More
“Every child deserves the opportunity to dream of a bright future regardless of their zip code or socioeconomic status,” said Lankford. “Students should not be limited in their educational opportunity as they wait for improvement in their local school. I support the right of every parent and student to have open access to the best classrooms that…Read More
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem announced on Jan. 23 that she’ll introduce a bill to her state’s legislature on Jan. 25 that would ban abortion of babies based solely on a diagnose of Down syndrome. The Republican governor made the decision on the 48th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Roe v.…Read More
In a court filing, an Oklahoma school district has declared the issuance of either a passing grade or a high school diploma is not—“and never has been”—an indicator that a student mastered state-mandated core courses. Lone Grove Public Schools also stated that any court order tethering a high-school diploma to mastery of high-school core course…Read More
The “Stay in School” program launched by Gov. Kevin Stitt last summer, which used some federal COVID-19 funds for private-school scholarships, has allowed over 1,000 low-income Oklahoma students to attend private schools at substantially lower cost than what would have been spent on those same students in traditional public schools, a new report shows. “Critics…Read More
Parent Power Index, a website comparing state policies based on how much power a parent has to get their child a good education, gives Oklahoma a C overall, but a D on school choice. We can do better. Since last March, Tulsa and Oklahoma City public schools have barred their doors to the kids they…Read More
In one of his first acts in office, President Joe Biden has signed an executive order to interpret sex discrimination in federal law to include sexual orientation and gender identity. The move could impact high school sports, the privacy of single-sex bathrooms, faith-based organizations that are government grantees or contractors, and whether employees may face…Read More
In a court filing, an Oklahoma school district has declared the issuance of either a passing grade or a high school diploma is not—“and never has been”—an indicator that a student mastered state-mandated core courses. Lone Grove Public Schools also stated that any court order tethering a high-school diploma to mastery of high-school core course…Read More
The “Stay in School” program launched by Gov. Kevin Stitt last summer, which used some federal COVID-19 funds for private-school scholarships, has allowed over 1,000 low-income Oklahoma students to attend private schools at substantially lower cost than what would have been spent on those same students in traditional public schools, a new report shows. “Critics…Read More
A federal court of appeals has sided with a Catholic high school student who challenged a State of Vermont policy that excludes students at private religious secondary schools from a no-cost college credit program. “Today’s decision levels the playing field by ensuring that Vermont parents and students who have chosen a faith-based education can enjoy…Read More
Parent Power Index, a website comparing state policies based on how much power a parent has to get their child a good education, gives Oklahoma a C overall, but a D on school choice. We can do better. Since last March, Tulsa and Oklahoma City public schools have barred their doors to the kids they…Read More
From his smile, spirit and energy, you’d never know 3-year-old Everett Gay has been through as much as he has. Diagnosed with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect shortly after birth, he’s already undergone five surgeries in his young life. “The thought that solely due to his diagnosis of Down syndrome, if he were…Read More
The National Garden of American Heroes will include statues of many notable Catholic figures, including five saints and numerous people who are on the path to sainthood. President Donald Trump announced in an executive order Jan. 18 that a garden will be built to “reflect the awesome splendor of our country’s timeless exceptionalism,” and to…Read More
In recent months, multiple reports have indicated that the incidence of abortion increased in the U.S. in 2018. Last November, a new report from the Centers for Disease Control revealed a slight uptick in the U.S. abortion rate between 2017 and 2018. Similarly, new abortion data that the Texas Department of State Health Services released…Read More
The incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden is preparing a widespread disbanding of pro-life policies enacted under the Trump administration, in addition to new legislation that would expand abortion rights under federal law. The rollback would include revoking the Mexico City Policy – which restricts U.S. taxpayer dollars from sponsoring abortions in other nations –…Read More
Two Oklahoma U.S. Senators joined 29 others in signing off on a letter urging the Small Business Administration not to give Planned Parenthood affiliates a second round of federal Paycheck Protection Program loans. Senator Jim Inhofe and Senator James Lankford were a part of the letter sent to the Small Business Administration. The full letter…Read More
Multiple Oklahoma school districts say they won’t adopt a new state policy allowing students and staff to skip quarantines. Within hours of the policy’s announcement Tuesday, school districts in the metro area — including Oklahoma City, Norman, Midwest City-Del City and Mustang schools — said they wouldn’t waver from existing protocols. Others across the state…Read More
Two Oklahoma U.S. Senators joined 29 others in signing off on a letter urging the Small Business Administration not to give Planned Parenthood affiliates a second round of federal Paycheck Protection Program loans. Senator Jim Inhofe and Senator James Lankford were a part of the letter sent to the Small Business Administration. The full letter…Read More
Multiple Oklahoma school districts say they won’t adopt a new state policy allowing students and staff to skip quarantines. Within hours of the policy’s announcement Tuesday, school districts in the metro area — including Oklahoma City, Norman, Midwest City-Del City and Mustang schools — said they wouldn’t waver from existing protocols. Others across the state…Read More
The Supreme Court has given the governor of Nevada eight days to file a response to a church which argued that the state’s COVID-19 protocol was discriminatory against houses of worship. In an order published Jan. 11, the Supreme Court directed Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) to respond to Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley before noon on…Read More
With three more federal executions scheduled in January, the Chairmen of the US Bishops Domestic Justice and Human Development Committee, Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, have renewed their call to President Trump and the Acting Attorney General to stop federal executions. Call to Congress In a statement,…Read More
State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, has filed legislation aimed at providing greater educational choice for families dealing with bullying and health issues, particularly during the pandemic. “The physical and mental health of Oklahoma students is the focus of each of these bills. We should always put children, their futures, and what their parents believe is…Read More
With three more federal executions scheduled in January, the Chairmen of the US Bishops Domestic Justice and Human Development Committee, Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, have renewed their call to President Trump and the Acting Attorney General to stop federal executions. Call to Congress In a statement,…Read More
State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, has filed legislation aimed at providing greater educational choice for families dealing with bullying and health issues, particularly during the pandemic. “The physical and mental health of Oklahoma students is the focus of each of these bills. We should always put children, their futures, and what their parents believe is…Read More
The Trump administration finalized a rule this week allowing faith-based adoption agencies to receive federal funding regardless of their views on same-sex marriage. In a final rule issued Jan. 7, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) revised a 2016 rule by the Obama administration that had conditioned federal grants on adoption agencies’ willingness…Read More
In the face of political discord and self-interest, we have an obligation to promote unity, peace, and the common good in society and in the Catholic Church, Pope Francis said Sunday. “At this moment, a politician, even a manager, a bishop, a priest, who does not have the ability to say ‘we’ is not up…Read More
A measure filed by State Sen. George Burns would modify the Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act to ensure government entities cannot close churches, religious institutions, or houses of worship. This a response to the closure of churches and houses of worship across the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate Bill 216 would add that the closure…Read More
The U.S. Congress early Thursday certified the Electoral College vote that gave Democrat Joe Biden his presidential victory — after a day in Washington that was marred by pro-Trump protesters storming the U.S. Capitol. Vice President Mike Pence, who had announced he would not overturn the will of voters, confirmed the Biden victory at 3:41…Read More
In a setback for pro-life efforts, federal judges have upheld injunctions or imposed new injunctions against multiple Arkansas prolife laws, including bans on late-term abortion and bans on abortions that target a child with Down syndrome or because of his or her sex. A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S Circuit Court of Appeals sided…Read More
With Democrats projected to win Tuesday’s Senate races in Georgia, the political landscape for pro-lifers is now clear—they will be defending on multiple fronts against an emboldened abortion lobby. With Democrats holding 50 Senate seats plus Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ tiebreaking vote, they will have the slimmest of majorities in the Senate. While 60 votes…Read More
A measure filed by State Sen. George Burns would modify the Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act to ensure government entities cannot close churches, religious institutions, or houses of worship. This a response to the closure of churches and houses of worship across the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate Bill 216 would add that the closure…Read More
The execution date of Lisa Montgomery, the only woman on federal death row, is currently undecided. In late December a federal judge said the Justice Department unlawfully rescheduled her execution while there had already been a stay in effect, granted because one of her attorneys tested positive for the coronavirus. The federal government is appealing…Read More
If the pandemic has taught us anything about public education, it’s that parents and students need more options. Many parents in 2020 felt trapped as the school their child was zoned to moved away from in-person learning, whether or not that was the best option for their family. If they looked into other public school…Read More
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed into law a new pro-life bill recognizing the humanity of unborn babies killed in abortions. The legislation requires the Ohio Department of Health to establish rules for the proper and humane burial or cremation of unborn babies who are killed in abortions. It creates penalties for violations and requires…Read More
After the senate in Argentina legalized abortion in the early hours of Wednesday, December 30, the Argentinean Bishops’ Conference released a statement accusing the country’s political leadership of being far away from the sentiment of the people and vowed to continue working “with firmness and passion in the care and service of life.” The long-debated…Read More
Gov. Stitt announced this week the appointment of Jason Reese as his new General Counsel to replace outgoing GC Mark Burget who will move to the non-profit sector to work with a Christian ministry. An active member of Christ the King Catholic parish, successful attorney, gubernatorial appointee to the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission and accomplished…Read More
Gov. Stitt announced this week the appointment of Jason Reese as his new General Counsel to replace outgoing GC Mark Burget who will move to the non-profit sector to work with a Christian ministry. An active member of Christ the King Catholic parish, successful attorney, gubernatorial appointee to the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission and accomplished…Read More