Naumann was elected chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities on November 14, 2017, defeating by a narrow margin Cardinal Blase Cupich.

[2] Naumann interprets Canon 915 as directing priests to deny communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion rights and euthanasia.

He stated that he tried to persuade Kathleen Sebelius, then Governor of Kansas, to change her stand on abortion rights, and after her refusal in doing so, he denied her communion.

[3] Naumann's archdiocese later spent $2.45 million in support of an ill-fated proposed amendment to the Kansas constitution to remove its protection of abortion rights, which was defeated by a 59 to 41% margin.

[4] After sexual abuse allegations were made against Bishop John Brungardt of the Diocese of Dodge City in February 2021, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome directed Naumann to open a canonical preliminary investigation into them.