CatholicVote

This was my message before the State of the Union address in January, which reads like a warning or conversely like a preview. Tonight, we hope to hear: About the economy: A clear commitment that the economy will tangibly improve for the average American family. Inflation, food prices, and housing costs have strained households for years. Young Americans want to marry, buy homes, and raise children. They cannot do so if homeownership remains out of reach. A serious plan to restore affordability is not optional; it is foundational to the future of the country. About America’s health: We also hope to hear that the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative will remain a priority and deliver measurable reform. Americans deserve confidence in their food supply, transparency in public health decisions, and policies that prioritize long-term well-being over corporate interests. If MAHA is to be a defining pillar of this administration, tonight is the moment to reaffirm it. On life issues: We urge the President to rescind the previous administration’s telehealth expansion of mifepristone distribution. Chemical abortion has quietly become the front line of the abortion industry. Protecting unborn life requires addressing this reality directly. On human rights:  We hope to hear a firm commitment to securing the release of Jimmy Lai, the Catholic publisher and pro-democracy advocate imprisoned in Hong Kong. His freedom would send a powerful message that America still stands unapologetically for religious liberty and human dignity on the global stage. President Trump has often spoken of winning. Catholics are not tired of winning, and we are expecting upcoming victories to be substantive. We want continued progress against gender ideology that confuses children and undermines parental authority. We want renewed protection for the unborn. We want housing and economic conditions that allow young families to form and flourish. We want strong safeguards for religious freedom at home and determined advocacy for persecuted Christians abroad. The American people have tasted excellence in recent days through our athletes’ achievements. Tonight is an opportunity for national leadership to match that standard; to articulate a vision worthy of a nation approaching its 250th anniversary. We will be praying for the President… and we will be listening.

Catholics--I'm calling on you to take up your right and moral duty to go VOTE! If Catholics aren't at the table, we are on the menu. Defend Gospel values in the public square TODAY so we can enjoy living by them without persecution tomorrow.

The internet is on fire with criticism of the 12 bishops who prayed over President Trump in the Oval Office. Let me remind everyone that bishops are priests and pastors and should not have to apologize for praying over presidents. This assault on public prayer is based on a secular vision of life—not the essential evangelization required by the Gospel. Not only should we give them the space to be evaluated outside the secular political lens, they should give that grace to themselves in the face of this unwarranted criticism. “As I prayed about, I thought that this is what Catholics do. We pray for people,” said Archbishop James Golka. “No matter whether we agree or disagree on anything, we always pray for our country and leaders.” Imagine the church restricting who it could dialogue with or preach to: it would be a a history without Ambrose preaching to Theodosius; without John Paul II converting General Wojciech Jaruzelski on his death bed; without Fr. Hugh O’Flaherty befriending Nazi Herbert Kappler in prison. The right and duty to witness to figures in authority dates back to the time of Caesar. Those men all did many things worse by orders of magnitude than this leader, who has also done some things exceptionally well, whatever the honest criticism of some of his policies are. I also question the selective outrage potentially at work here. Do honest Catholics believe this outrage would exist for praying over Obama, Biden, or even George W.? These men were there as priests and they prayed as priests do. That is a win for the faith, no matter the man in the presidential chair. Archbishop Golka was right. This IS what Catholics do.

Holy Father count on our prayers!

Henry Hyde was a pro-life hero. Today's heroes include @RepRileyMoore & Rep. Chris Smith. For the honor of almighty God, the inalienable right to life, and rectitude of conscience every American should have: we must continue his fight. Honored to author this together!

I am begging Catholic bishops to stand against this public scandal for the good of the soul of Joe Biden, battling cancer, and for the spiritual health of our nation. Even now more lives are at stake in Virginia, Nevada, Idaho, Missouri... All because THIS was tolerated for far too long by far too many. Who's with me?