March for Life Wisconsin This Saturday, April 25!
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| Join us! The 2026 March for Life takes place this Saturday, April 25 from 2-4pm on the State Street steps at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison. All Wisconsinites are invited to participate in this joyful and peaceful march to protect every human life.
Starting at 2pm, the rally will feature Wisconsin-based pro-life speakers who will share their expertise on the importance of protecting life from conception to natural death. Following the speakers, we will march around the Capitol for every mother, father, and child, and for the dignity of each person.
Registration for bus transportation ends at 11:59 pm tonight. Check out the locations here.
The event is free and open to the public. Signs will be provided. The march will be held, rain or shine! The March for Life Wisconsin is hosted by Pro-Life Wisconsin, Wisconsin Catholic Conference, Wisconsin Family Council, and Wisconsin Right to Life. |
Governor Signs Online Sports Gambling Bill into Law
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| On April 9, Governor Tony Evers signed 2025 Wisconsin Act 247 into law, which expands online sports gambling throughout Wisconsin. Even as Wisconsin legalizes online sports gambling, other states are rejecting it due to its detrimental impacts, including an increase in consumer debt, crime, suicide, and family disintegration. Read the WCC’s memo to legislators opposing the bill here. |
Governor Signs WCC Supported Bills into Law
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Stillbirth Tax Credit ▲ Testified in support
SB 379 (André Jacque, R-New Franken) / AB 373 (Lindee Rae Brill, R-Sheboygan Falls)
This bill creates a refundable individual income tax credit of up to $2,000 for a parent of a stillborn child. The bill also provides a formal acknowledgement to grieving families that Wisconsin recognizes the loss they have suffered with the death of their child.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 241Human Development Instruction on Adoption ▲ Registered in support
SB 887 (André Jacque, R-New Franken) / AB 918 (Rob Summerfield, R-Bloomer)
This bill adds adoption as a required topic to be covered by public schools that opt to use a human growth and development curriculum. However, a school district is not required to offer human growth and development instruction.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 202
MA Coverage for Incarcerated Individuals ▲ Registered in support
SB 598 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 604 (Clint Moses, R-Menomonie)
This bill directs the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to apply for a waiver from the federal government to seek pre-release coverage under the Medical Assistance program for incarcerated individuals. Designed to reduce recidivism by proactively treating substance abuse, individuals who are incarcerated and qualify for Medicaid can receive case management, medication for behavioral therapy, and a 30 day supply of prescription medication to aid their treatment upon release.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 233
Occupational Credentials for DACA Recipients ▲ Testified in support
SB 745 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 759 (Joel Kitchens, R-Sturgeon Bay)
The bill allows recipients of deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to obtain occupational licenses in Wisconsin. The Catholic Church has long advocated for the legal protection, full inclusion, and wellbeing of children brought to the U.S. DACA recipients are some of the most thoroughly vetted individuals in the state and this bill will allow recipients to enter into licensed careers benefiting them, employers, and the state of Wisconsin.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 240
Crypto Kiosks ▲ Registered in support
SB 975 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 968 (Patrick Snyder, R-Weston)
Crypto kiosks, also known as Bitcoin ATMs, crypto ATMs, and Bitcoin teller machines (BTMs), are devices that turn dollars into cryptocurrencies. Scammers will often pretend to be government officials, technical support, or bankers and direct an individual to withdraw thousands of dollars and insert them into crypto kiosks where dollars are immediately converted into cryptocurrency that is delivered to scammers (often overseas). The companies that operate these crypto kiosks will collect a large fee for executing the transfer. The bill adds new requirements for crypto kiosks, including requiring the operator to be licensed as a money transmitter in Wisconsin, capping user deposits at $1,000 per day, requiring the prominent display of fraud warnings, and more.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 226
A full summary of the 2025-26 Legislative Session will appear in a future Capitol Update. |
USCCB Action Alert: Urge Congress to Press for Peace in the Middle East
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| The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is asking Catholics to contact their Members of Congress and ask them to publicly support de-escalation and diplomacy that avoids further destruction and bloodshed in the Middle East, oppose actions that expand the war, and prioritize protection of civilians and humanitarian relief.
The conflict between the United States and Iran has entered its second month. Even though both sides have agreed to a temporary ceasefire, the threat of increased military action and humanitarian disaster remains. Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, continues to call all people to work for a “peaceful coexistence founded on justice.”
The situation across the Middle East region is dire. Innocent people and families in Iran are threatened by this conflict. Further, the human toll continues to climb in Lebanon, where over one million people, including 370,000 children, are displaced amid the regional violence.
During Holy Week, USCCB President Archbishop Paul S. Coakley echoed Pope Leo XIV’s renewed appeal for peace. Catholic leaders continue to call for mutually respectful and effective dialogue leading to a ceasefire and a negotiated end to the conflict and warning that prolonged war increases the risk of dramatic escalation and broader regional conflict.
Contact your U.S. Senators and Representative at the button below: |
More Updates from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
To take action on the USCCB’s current federal action alerts, click here. |
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