Faith groups: new immigration order still anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant

GOP health plan would make millions more uninsured, says budget office

David Lawder Reuters | Mar. 13, 2017

Millions of Americans would lose medical insurance under a Republican plan to dismantle Obamacare, the nonpartisan U.S. Congressional Budget Office said on Monday in a report that dealt a potential setback to President Donald Trump's first major legislative initiative.

The eagerly awaited CBO report forecast that 14 million more people would be uninsured in 2018 and 24 million more in 2026 if the plan being considered in the House of Representatives were adopted. Obamacare enabled about 20 million previously uninsured Americans to obtain medical insurance.

Budget office analysis of GOP health bill may sharpern resistance to measure

David Lawder Reuters | Mar. 13, 2017

Update: Congressional Budget Office files report on GOP health plan, finds that the plan would make millions more uninsured.

A non-partisan report expected as soon as today on the costs of a Republican plan to replace the Obamacare healthcare law could harden opposition to the proposal, adding to the obstacles facing President Donald Trump's first major legislative effort.

Republican senators wobble on House health plan

Reuters | Mar. 13, 2017

Updated: GOP health plan would make millions more uninsured, says budget office

Earlier story: If the Republicans' plan to dismantle most of Obamacare is approved later this month by the U.S. House of Representatives, where it cleared initial hurdles last week, it would go next to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain.

Bishops say U.S. must address needs of immigrants, show compassion

Rhina Guidos Catholic News Service | Mar. 13, 2017

While one Catholic archbishop was urging a fix to the country's immigration laws before a Catholic crowd, another was pleading with the government not to separate mothers from their children while in immigration detention, and yet another, a cardinal, was accompanying a grandfather to an appointment that could have resulted in his deportation.

Catholic Church leaders in the U.S. spent the week of March 6-10 trying to allay fears, urging compassion, not just from the government from those who are not seeing "God's creation" when they malign unauthorized immigrants.

Native Americans march to the White House in spiritual battle against pipeline

Lilly Fowler Religion News Service | Mar. 13, 2017

On a cold rainy morning, members of the American Indian tribes shouted "Water is sacred" and "Keep it in the soil; can't drink oil" as they marched toward the White House.

Bears Ears National Monument, sacred to native tribes, faces challenge to its status

Lauren Markoe Religion News Service | Mar. 11, 2017

A tribal coalition that considers many sites within Bears Ears National Monument in Utah sacred fears the Trump administration will take the unprecedented step of stripping a national monument of its designation, and leave their ancestral lands vulnerable.

All 100 senators press Trump administration to help communities fight anti-Semitism

Ledyard King Religion News Service | Mar. 8, 2017

Capitol Hill lawmakers are pressing the Trump administration to help local communities battle anti-Semitism after threats to Jewish institutions and vandalism at historic cemeteries.

Catholic leaders react to House bill to repeal, replace health care law

Catholic News Service | Mar. 8, 2017

Calling health care "a vital concern for nearly every person in the country," the U.S. Catholic bishops said March 8 they will be reviewing closely a measure introduced in the House March 6 to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

Trump travel ban orders a report on honor killings

Kimberly Winston Religion News Service | Mar. 7, 2017

President Trump's new executive order: As part of its goal to protect "the nation from foreign terrorist entry," the new executive order calls for a report on the number of honor killings carried out in the U.S. by "foreign nationals."