(RNS) — In an unusual display of public disagreement among U.S. Catholic hierarchy, bishops signed on to two competing letters to lawmakers on Thursday (June 26) regarding the Republican-led federal budget proposal containing a massive funding expansion for immigration enforcement, with each letter exhibiting different levels of criticism of the bill.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the umbrella organization that typically represents U.S. prelates in political matters, took a firm but mixed approach to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in a letter. Building off of a separate statement from late May that expressed a combination of praise and concern about the bill, USCCB leaders began their new letter by stating they are “grateful for provisions that promote the dignity of human life and support parental choice in education” in the budget, such as efforts to curtail public funding for abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood.
But the letter also included a lengthy critique, urging senators — who are set to vote on the bill as soon as Friday — to “make drastic changes to the provisions that will harm the poor and vulnerable.” The letter breaks down the USCCB’s opposition to proposed cuts to food assistance programs, health care initiatives such as Medicaid and clean energy incentives.
In a statement released alongside the letter, conferenc …