Wisconsin’s Abortion Ban Ruled Unenforceable
On July 2, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in Kaul v. Urmanski that the state’s abortion ban is unenforceable. |
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| The Court’s majority said that legislation enacted in the last 50 years regulating abortion was meant as a substitute for 940.04, the longstanding statute that prohibits abortion except to save the life of the mother. This flies in the face of logic. In the last 50 years, since the Roe and Casey decisions restricted Wisconsin’s ability to enforce 940.04, the Legislature made clear on multiple occasions that it was not explicitly or impliedly repealing 940.04 through subsequent legislation. In fact, the Legislature amended 940.04 in 2011, and it has been a key issue in every recent statewide election. |
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| The 4-3 decision removing the abortion ban means that abortions are legal up to 20 weeks in Wisconsin. Other laws requiring informed consent, a waiting period, and an ultrasound are still enforceable.
The Embrace Them Both Coalition, Wisconsin’s four statewide pro-life groups, denounced the Court’s decision and vowed to stand united in the defense of life.
In a separate order on July 2, the Wisconsin Supreme Court dismissed a case brought by Planned Parenthood that argued the Wisconsin Constitution guarantees a right to abortion. Planned Parenthood has announced its intention to keep working to expand access to abortion in Wisconsin beyond 20 weeks, to remove current regulations in the law, and to press for recognition that a right to abortion exists in the Wisconsin Constitution. |
Governor Evers Signs 2025-2027 State Budget
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| On July 3, Governor Tony Evers signed the 2025-2027 state budget (2025 WI Act 15). The budget was part of a bipartisan agreement between the Governor and Senate and Assembly leadership. The Governor issued 23 partial vetoes, about half of the number of partial vetoes in each of the two previous budgets. Read the Governor’s partial veto message here.
The budget included tax cuts for many Wisconsinites, investments in childcare, and increased funding for special needs education. The budget also included investments in the University of Wisconsin System, transportation and infrastructure, and Medicaid and health system access, especially in rural areas. |
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| A forthcoming Capitol Update will have the WCC’s overview of the budget. |
Legislative Action on WCC Bills of Interest
Below is an update on the status of bills that the WCC has taken action on. To see the WCC’s analysis of these bills, read our prior Capitol Updates.
Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities ▲ Registered in support
SB 106 (Study Committee on Emergency Detention and Civil Commitment of Minors) Psychiatric residential treatment facilities serving youth under the age of 21.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 WI Act 9. |
Federal Budget Bill Signed into Law
On July 3, President Trump signed the federal budget reconciliation bill into law. The bill made permanent the tax cuts implemented in 2017, placed restrictions on Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps), changed energy policy, and various other tax provisions such as a new federal tax-credit scholarship program for education, and limited taxes on tips, Social Security, and overtime.
Archbishop Broglio, USCCB President, issued a press release lamenting the great harm the bill will cause to many of the most vulnerable in society, because of steep cuts to Medicaid and clean energy tax credits, and by adding more to the deficit. |
USCCB Responds to IRS Decision on Political Endorsements
On July 7, in a joint court filing intended to resolve a particular case, the IRS agreed to an interpretation of the tax code’s Johnson Amendment that effectively states: church leaders can endorse or oppose candidates from the pulpit without endangering their tax-exempt status.
The Johnson Amendment, created in 1954, prohibits tax-exempt organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates. However, the IRS has rarely enforced it against houses of worship.
The next day, the USCCB issued the following press release, reiterating the fact that the Catholic Church does not endorse or oppose political candidates:
The IRS was addressing a specific case, and it doesn’t change how the Catholic Church engages in public debate. The Church seeks to help Catholics form their conscience in the Gospel so they might discern which candidates and policies would advance the common good. The Catholic Church maintains its stance of not endorsing or opposing political candidates.
The Catholic Church does provide resources on how to engage in politics and civic life through Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. |
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Did You Know? Free Copies Available of Bishops’ Letter to Help Catholics Prepare for End of Life Decisions
Did you know you can get a free copy of the Wisconsin Catholic Bishops’ letter on end of life decision-making?
Now and at the Hour of Our Death summarizes Church teaching and gives practical guidance on end of life measures, including: |
- Spiritual & Sacramental Needs
- Assisted Suicide & Euthanasia
- Ordinary & Extraordinary Measures
- Measures Withheld or Withdrawn
- Nutrition & Hydration
- Palliative Care & Hospice
- Pain Management
- Redemptive Suffering
- Organ Donation
- Advance Care Planning
- Power of Attorney for Health Care
- Living Wills & POLST
- Funeral Planning
- Burial & Cremation
- Alkaline Hydrolysis
- Human Composting
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| All materials are available online at wisconsincatholic.org/endoflife. Request a print version of the pastoral letter through your local diocese here or read the full letter online here. The letter is available in both English and Spanish. |
Legislative Resources
Find your legislators, committee assignments, session schedule, and more:
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