WASHINGTON (RNS) Top Senate Democrats said Wednesday (July 28) that Democrats need the help of religious groups in overcoming Republican opposition to key pieces of legislation.
In a media roundtable hosted by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., chairwoman of the Democrats’ Steering and Outreach Committee, senators said the majority of “the faith community” is fully on board with Democratic policies on immigration, health care and clean energy.
Senate Democrats said the progress they’ve made on economic recovery and job growth is due to the continued support of faith communities.
Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, cited a common thread of “economic and social justice” between Democratic lawmakers and religious groups.
“We would not have passed (any of the bills) … without the strong voice and commitment from the faith community to keep us on track,”
Stabenow said.
But as the Democratic majority faces stiff resistance from the GOP on other legislation — “a battle on every bill we have put forward,”
Stabenow said — religious groups need to play a larger role in supporting those bills.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., highlighted the “strength in numbers”
that faith communities have, and urged them to continue “pushing back”
against Republican opposition.
“When we were saying we don’t have any Republican support, did they (faith groups) go to rally?” Klobuchar asked. “That’s what I think that the religious groups have to (do).”
Senators conceded, however, that there is a limit in how far faith leaders can go in their advocacy without alienating some of their own flocks.
“I think this is a question of comfort level,” Stabenow said. “Some in the faith community … will feel comfortable in a bipartisan arena and others won’t.”
Many religious groups do not feel that they have to “deal with that stuff,” because they are not political organizations, Klobuchar added.
“I’m not being critical, I’m just being honest,” she said.
– Alfredo Garcia
Copyright 2010 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
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posted July 28, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Silly SendEmCrats. Don’t they know there’s a “separation” of church & state? If they even bothered to read Beliefnet comboxes, they could’ve retrieved a plethora of expert opinion on the subject. I’m sure the ACLU will be all over this one (and I’m holding my breath; NOT!)
posted July 28, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Well bishops and such make comments on bills and laws that have political effects.
If some religious leaders feel some bills further their principals I guess they could say so. I think they could not mention politicians, especially by name.
posted July 29, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Tom
So NOW there is a separation twixt church & state. But there was not when the Hefelumps were stalled in the White House. Harumph! Hypocrisy! Hah! Your complaint falls as flat a a week old Coke left out in the sun. Ya got no fizz!
The UCC has been in favor of, promoted passage of, and encrouraged support for the immigration, health care, and clean environment legislations. I do have to tred carefully for pastoral reasons, when addressing these things – I was called to care for all of God’s children, not simply those with whom I agree. (I do not presume to speak for God or for my congregation, unlike some other clergy) But when given the opportunity I have been known to strike a prophetic pose and make my thoughts known.
posted July 29, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Jez, I’ll have ya know I put the fizz in the zizzle! Yet my point was that the usual suspects who yell so loudly about this “separation” seem to go conspicuously mute when they agree with the measures being promoted (rather funny how that happens). Whether it’s the UCC or the USCCB, clerics are citizens too, nor should they be muzzled simply because they hold a bit of sway with their congregants. Pose on prophetic one, ye “carer” for all of God’s children.