2026 Iowa Catholic Conference
Legislative Principles

HUMAN LIFE AND DIGNITY

All human beings are created in the image and likeness of God. Human life should be protected from conception until natural death as a basic requirement of a just and moral society.

  • Every person has basic human rights and is entitled to basic human necessities, such as food, housing, clean water and air, education, health care, and productive work for fair wages.
  • Threats to human life from abortion, the death penalty or assisted suicide are never acceptable.

Education

Parents have the right to choose the kind of education best suited to the needs of their children.

Racism

Racism, both individual and systemic, is an evil which endures in our society and should be condemned. Policies should be promoted that will combat racism and its effects in our civic and social institutions.

Care of Creation
God created the world and entrusted it to us as a gift. We have the responsibility to care for and protect it and all people, who are part of creation.

Economic Concerns

“Those inspired by true charity know full well that almsgiving does not absolve the competent authorities of their responsibilities, eliminate the duty of government institutions to care for the poor, or detract from rightful efforts to ensure justice.” Pope Leo XIV, Dilexi Te, 116. The “option for the poor and vulnerable” called for by the U.S. bishops means that government should give the needs of the poor and vulnerable preferential consideration.

Health Care

Health care is a human right and essential to protecting human life and dignity, especially for those who may be vulnerable, such as the elderly, the poor, and those with disabilities.

Immigration

“All persons come from somewhere and seek to live a decent and dignified life where they presently reside. But when their right to exist and other basic human rights are threatened or denied to an extent that they decide to exercise their right to migrate, the Church upholds this latter right … However, the security of a nation can never be used as an excuse to violate the dignity and human rights of migrants, including the right to due process under law. Nor should economic expediency be the gauge of persons’ worth.” Pilgrims of Hope, Catholic Bishops of Iowa, 12 and 14. The Church recognizes the right of a sovereign nation to secure its borders in furtherance of the common good.

Marriage and Families

Public policy should safeguard and provide robust support for the enduring dignity of marriage. The first and fundamental structure is the family, “founded on marriage, in which the mutual gift of self by husband and wife creates an environment in which children can be born and develop their potentialities, become aware of their dignity and prepare to face their unique and individual destiny” Centesimus Annus, No. 39.

Religious Liberty

Government should recognize the First Amendment right of religious groups, including religious minorities, to practice their faith consistently in their personal and public lives.

Restorative Justice

Responsibility and rehabilitation are the foundations for the necessary reform of our broken criminal justice system. Restorative justice seeks to repair the harm that has been done to relationships in the aftermath of crime and works to reintegrate offenders into the community when possible.

Taxation

“Tax revenues and public spending take on crucial economic importance for every civil and political community. The goal to be sought is public financing that is itself capable of becoming an instrument of development and solidarity.” Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 355. A just and equitable system of taxation ensures that everyone contributes to society according to his or her ability to pay.

2026 Iowa Catholic Conference
Legislative Concerns

The Iowa Catholic Conference’s legislative priorities were formulated in consultation with its Human Life and Dignity Committee and Education Committee and approved by the Iowa Catholic Conference Board of Directors. Items may be added or withdrawn as the situation requires. For more information on taking action, consult the Iowa Catholic Conference website at www.iowacatholicconference.org.

The Iowa Catholic Conference supports:

  • Protecting the human rights of all immigrants, including due process, anti-trafficking efforts and assistance for the resettlement of refugees.
  • Public policies that assist parents in exercising their rights as the primary educators of their child.
  • Increased funding and access for preschool students
  • Initiatives which would make health care more readily available and affordable to all Iowans, including immigrants and their children, and shortening waiting lists and gaps in services for those with disabilities or in need of dental care.
  • Enhancing support for mothers, babies and families in need, including access to perinatal mental health services
  • Limiting the harm of abortion to the greatest extent possible in Iowa law.
  • Measures to promote healthy families such as increasing the state’s minimum wage, increasing the availability of affordable housing and addressing food insecurity.
  • Assisting persons re-entering the community from incarceration.
  • Maintaining a progressive tax code and revenues sufficient to meet the basic needs of the poor and vulnerable.
  • Strengthening Iowa’s small towns and rural communities.
  • Measures to preserve, protect, and improve the quality of the air, water, and land.

The Iowa Catholic Conference opposes:

  • Reinstatement of the death penalty.
  • Legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia.

 

 

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