SRES-45-119
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S487-488; text: CR S486-487)
Sponsored by Eric Schmitt (R-MO)
What it does
This Senate resolution would express the Senate's support for the goals of the 51st National Catholic Schools Week (January 26 to February 1, 2025). It would applaud the National Catholic Educational Association and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for choosing the theme "Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community." It would also express support for the dedication of Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers to academic excellence. It creates no legal duties, programs, or funding.
Who benefits
Catholic schools, their students, teachers, and families, who would receive formal Senate recognition. The National Catholic Educational Association and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, whose event and theme would be publicly endorsed. No money or legal benefit is provided.
Who is hurt
No group is meaningfully affected, since the resolution carries no legal force, funding, or mandate. Some critics might object to a government body praising a religious institution's schools, but nothing in the text changes anyone's rights or obligations.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue the resolution recognizes a long-standing educational sector that serves about 1.7 million students, and that it follows the Senate's custom of honoring education-related observances. They contend that acknowledging schools serving diverse communities, including many non-Catholic students, is a low-cost, symbolic way to honor teachers and families.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue a Senate resolution praising schools run by one religious body raises concerns about government endorsement of religion, even if it is only symbolic. They contend that floor time and official recognition are better directed toward public education or toward neutral observances covering all school types.
Constitutional context
A non-binding, ceremonial resolution has no legal effect, so it raises little constitutional concern. The closest provision is the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, but after Kennedy v. Bremerton (2022) replaced the Lemon test with a "historical practices and understandings" approach, symbolic recognition with no coercion or funding is unlikely to be a significant issue.
Checks and balances
Only the Senate acts, and the resolution does not go to the House or the President; it creates no new authority for any branch and has no binding effect to check.
Historical precedent
The Senate has passed similar resolutions in prior years recognizing earlier annual National Catholic Schools Weeks.