Resolution honoring Pope Francis stalls in US Congress, with little Republican support

Catholic World News - July 30, 2014



A Congressional resolution honoring Pope Francis for his “inspirational statements and actions” has stalled on Capitol Hill, with Republican Party leaders reluctant to move it forward.

The resolution, welcoming the election of the first Pope from the Americas and praising his spiritual leadership, was introduced by two lawmakers, a Democrat (Rep. John Larson of Connecticut) and a Republican (Peter King of New York). The resolution now has 221 co-sponsors.

But only 19 of the lawmakers backing the bill are Republicans. The Hill cites a Republican backer of the measure as saying that some conservative legislators have withheld their support because of papal statements that have been interpreted as critical of free-market economic policies, or supportive of President Obama.

As Congress approaches recess, the resolution has not been moved out of the foreign affairs committee in the House of Representatives. Rep. Larson, the co-author of the measure, has asked the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, to schedule a vote. In his letter making that plea, Larson reminded the Speaker that he (Boehner) had issued an invitation for Pope Francis to address a joint session of Congress.

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