Catholics rise to prominence in Congress
WASHINGTON Six decades after John F. Kennedy became the first Roman Catholic president, his political ascent still reverberates in the American electorate. Generations of Catholics who had long been marginalized in the political process were emboldened to seek office, prompting a wave of Catholic lawmakers in the decades that followed.
Academic observers attribute the rising influence of Catholics to a new prominence in public life that emerged after Kennedy’s election. The number of Catholics in Congress has risen by roughly 50 percent since the Kennedy administration and in recent years Catholics have consistently been the single largest religious denomination in Congress.
Luján Votes To Increase Payments To Americans To $2,000
From the Office of U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján
NAMBÉ – U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after House Democrats passed legislation to increase direct payments to U.S. taxpayers from $600 to $2,000.
The bill now advances to the Republican-controlled Senate. On Christmas Eve, House Republicans blocked a unanimous consent request to pass $2,000 economic impact payments, which President Trump has expressed support for.
“For months, my Democratic colleagues and I have been advocating for bigger direct payments to Americans. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has callously resisted, denying struggling families a desperately needed lifeline during an unprecedented national emergency,” Luján said. “Since President Trump expressed his support for $2,000 checks last week, Democrats have acted twice to pass this measure. This is Congress’ last chance
Luján Votes For COVID Funding, Spending Package
From the Office of U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján:
…Package Includes Direct Checks, Unemployment Benefits, Rental Assistance, Small Business Relief, and Funding for Vaccine Deployment
Washington, D.C. – U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) voted for the House passage of a bipartisan omnibus appropriations package that includes COVID-19 funding. The legislation funds the government through September and extends COVID-19 relief programs like federal enhanced unemployment benefits, economic impact payments, emergency rental assistance, and the Paycheck Protection Program. It also includes billions of dollars to support mass vaccination efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19. The legislation now advances to the Senate, where it is expected to pass later tonight.