DeLauro Leads 50+ Catholic House Democrats in Statement of Principles on Cost of Living

"[It] is our shared responsibility to build an economy rooted in dignity, fairness, solidarity, and the common good…"

Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) led 54 Catholic House Democrats in a statement of principles outlining their shared values as Catholic Members of Congress and how that informs their work in the House of Representatives, specifically on the issue of affordability and helping Americans through the current cost of living crisis.

The statement is cosigned by Gabe Amo, Nanette Diaz Barragán, Brendan F. Boyle, Greg Casar, Joaquin Castro, Gilbert Cisneros, J. Luis Correa, Joe Courtney, Henry Cuellar, Madeleine Dean, Christopher Deluzio, Mark DeSaulnier, Debbie Dingell, Veronica Escobar, Adriano Espaillat, Jesús "Chuy" García, Robert Garcia, Sylvia Garcia, Maggie Goodlander, Val Hoyle, Marcy Kaptur, William Keating, Timothy Kennedy, John B. Larson, George Latimer, Susie Lee, Teresa Leger Fernández, Sam Liccardo, Ted Lieu, Stephen Lynch, John Mannion, April McClain Delaney, Betty McCollum, Kristen McDonald Rivet, James P. McGovern, Robert Menendez, Joseph Morelle, Frank Mrvan, Richard Neal, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Frank Pallone, Jr. ,Jimmy Panetta, Nancy Pelosi, Patrick Ryan, Linda Sánchez, Mary Gay Scanlon, Darren Soto, Greg Stanton, Thomas R. Suozzi, Mike Thompson, Paul D. Tonko, Lori Trahan, Juan Vargas, Nydia Velázquez.

"At this difficult economic moment for the nation, we write not only as legislators, but as Catholics guided by a moral tradition that calls us to stand with workers, families, seniors, and those struggling to make ends meet. Grounded in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, we seek to communicate that we understand both the urgency of the economic hardships facing millions of Americans and our shared responsibility to build an economy rooted in dignity, fairness, solidarity, and the common good - one that allows every person not merely to survive, but to thrive.

"As Catholic Democratic legislators in United States House of Representatives, the guiding values and principles of Catholic Social Teaching inform our policies that will ultimately achieve the building of a just and equal society that works for all Americans. In this moment, most American workers, families, and seniors struggle to afford basic goods and services, while Republicans cut off support for the middle class, the working class, and the vulnerable.

"At the same time, the current governing majority has provided $4.5 trillion in tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans - many of whom pay no tax at all, not even a fair share. What we are seeing in the United States today, is exactly what Pope Leo XIV has appropriately pointed out, "we paradoxically see the growth of a wealthy elite, living in a bubble of comfort and luxury, almost in another world compared to ordinary people." Plain and simple, we are currently living in another world, and as Catholic Democrats, we intend to have an economy that works for all Americans and helps people get ahead, not just the wealthy and the well-connected - one that helps families not only get by, but get ahead.

"Catholic Social Teaching guides us to support an economy that protects the life and dignity of the human person and that economic policies should be shaped by moral principles that serve the common good. We believe that all individuals and their families should be able to secure and afford the basic necessities to live - housing, food, healthcare, education, clothing, and a safe environment. The economy should only be considered a success if the vulnerable and the poor are not left behind, and the working- and the middle-classes are not struggling to get ahead. Less than half of Americans have access to funds that would cover a $1,000 emergency expense, which could mean the tipping point from financial security to severe financial hardship.

"As a result, the government and society have a moral obligation to help individuals and families meet basic human needs, provide economic opportunities, and level the playing field between workers, owners, stockholders, and consumers. This obligation can be fulfilled by supporting policies that reduce the increasing rates of poverty and the shrinking working- and middle-class by providing financial support through policies like the expanded, monthly Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit. The Pope justifies policies like these, writing in his first encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, "just laws and methods of redistribution are certainly necessary for correcting imbalances, including tax systems that lighten the burden on the weakest and ask for more from those with greater resources."

"Pope Leo also highlights Pope Francis' recognition in his encyclical, Laudato Si' that we treat the environmental crisis not at an isolated issue, but one intertwined with the current socio-economic crisis. In order to protect God's creation, including Planet Earth, we should meet the growing demand for energy by supporting diverse investments in energy to help families bring their costs down.

"To support our youngest generation, we must expand access to high-quality education through the entire continuum - pre-K, elementary to high school, and post-secondary - and expand opportunities in the trades through registered apprenticeships and other training programs. To help families with skyrocketing costs, we must ensure high-quality, affordable childcare is a reality, not a luxury. Finally, healthcare is a right and not a privilege, and we must do everything in our power to ensure everyone has coverage that is affordable by bringing healthcare costs down and guaranteeing all individuals have access to quality care.

"As Catholic Democrats who have chosen to serve our communities representing members of the Catholic faith, other faith traditions, and no faith, we are committed to creating an America that all people can not only survive and thrive in but get ahead."