Huffman hopes pope inspires Congress

September 24, 2015

Rep. Jared Huffman said Thursday he hoped the “message of hope” of Pope Francis would inspire members of Congress to avoid a government shutdown because of “hyper-partisan squabbling.”

The San Rafael Democrat also used the pope’s statements to call for action on climate change and immigration reform.

The pope made the first papal address to a joint session of Congress on Thursday.

Some Republicans have threatened a government shutdown over a fight to stop federal funding for Planned Parenthood. Said Huffman, “I hope Pope Francis has reminded my colleagues that winning the day is less important that working together to bring about a better world. I hope Congress heeds his call.”

Hufman said he was grateful for the pope’s call for action to fight climate change. “We are witnessing the beginnings of the ruin climate change will bring: devastating wildfires, a record California drought, and debilitating superstorms,” Huffman said. “Climate change threatens our way of life and our future, and we must work together to ensure our children and grandchildren inherit a better world. We have a moral obligation to act.”

Huffman noted the pope’s statement that “we too are the sons and daughters of immigrants and refugees.”

“Pope Francis is right,” he said. “The immigrants and refugees fleeing brutality and poverty should not be thought of in terms of simple statistics, but as individuals with hopes and fears, searching for better lives. We, as Americans, must remember our beginnings and finally pass immigration reform so others can share in the American Dream.