House hearing examines rising global religious freedom threats, policy challenges February 5, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, U.S. Congress, World News Authoritarian regimes increasingly threaten the cause of international religious freedom, lawmakers and witnesses at a House subcommittee hearing on the topic said Feb. 4.
Trump signs funding deal to end partial government shutdown, negotiate over ICE February 4, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, News, U.S. Congress, World News President Donald Trump signed into law a funding package to end the partial government shutdown Feb. 3, hours after its passage in the House, which included an agreement for funding for the Department of Homeland Security to be renegotiated to include new, stronger constraints on federal immigration officers.
Cardinal Tobin: ‘Say no to violence,’ stop funding ‘lawless organization’ after protester killings January 26, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, News, U.S. Congress, World News Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, New Jersey, joined several religious leaders for a Jan. 25 “National Faith Call to Action,” organized and hosted online by Faith in Action, a global, nonpartisan, faith-based network that counts 1,000 congregations in the U.S., as well as in Haiti, Central America, Africa and Eastern Europe.
3 U.S. bishops applaud House for passing legislation supporting pregnant women January 23, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, News, Respect Life, U.S. Congress, World News Three U.S. bishops who chair committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops are applauding two pieces of legislation designed to support pregnant women through an array of resources, including continued access to higher education.
House pro-life co-chair says he is still seeking answers from FDA over mifepristone safety review January 22, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, U.S. Congress, World News The co-chair of the House Pro-Life Caucus said he has continued to call on the Trump administration to promptly conduct a pledged safety review of mifepristone, a pill commonly, but not exclusively, used for early abortion.
Senate hearing examines abortion pill after FDA approval of new generic version January 15, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, U.S. Congress, World News A Senate committee held a hearing on the abortion pill Jan. 14 as the Trump administration faces scrutiny from some pro-lifers over the Food and Drug Administration’s recent approval of a new generic form of the drug.
House passes extension of Obamacare subsidies for 3 years after 17 Republicans break ranks January 9, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Health Care, News, U.S. Congress, World News The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Jan. 8 to extend enhanced health care subsidies for three years by a vote of 230-196 after 17 Republicans broke with their party’s leadership to force a vote.
Senate advances war powers resolution on Venezuela, may consider Greenland measure January 8, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Caribbean, News, U.S. Congress, World News The U.S. Senate on Jan. 8 advanced a war powers resolution following the Trump administration’s recent strike to remove deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power, requiring congressional approval for Trump to take additional military action in Venezuela.
175 lawmakers demand ‘robust’ investigation on risks of abortion pill November 26, 2025By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, U.S. Congress, World News Congressional Republicans are demanding a “robust” investigation of federal safety standards and health risks connected to mifepristone, a pill commonly, but not exclusively, used for early abortion.
House to vote on shutdown deal; Catholic groups urge action on health care costs November 12, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Health Care, News, U.S. Congress, World News A key procedural vote in the Senate signaled the beginning of a funding deal that may bring about the end of the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. But Catholic groups expressed concerns that the potential deal leaves the matter of health insurance subsidies to a future vote with an uncertain outcome and just as premiums are skyrocketing.
Supreme Court sides with Trump administration to temporarily block full funding for SNAP November 10, 2025By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Supreme Court, U.S. Congress, World News The U.S. Supreme Court has moved to temporarily block full payments necessary to fund SNAP, a program providing food support to millions of Americans with low incomes, after the Trump administration asked the court to hear its request to issue only partial payments in November.
Ecumenical group of faith leaders in Seattle demand SNAP funds be fully restored November 7, 2025By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: News, U.S. Congress, World News Rep. Pramila Jayapal invited various faith leaders to express their feelings on SNAP cuts detailed in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” and the Trump administration’s refusal to use emergency funds to fund the program amid the government shutdown, causing many of the 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP — the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — to find alternative ways to eat.
