Fleming: Churches Face Discrimination Under Obama Administration

Statement

Congressman John Fleming, M.D. released the following statement after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) refused to provide relief for California's churches and religiously affiliated institutions facing ongoing government discrimination and failed to interpret the plain text of the Weldon amendment, longstanding conscience protections.

"After a drawn-out non-investigation, the Obama Administration decided today that churches and religious schools in California should be forced to pay for abortions through their health plans. This should sound the alarm bells in every town across America. Conscience, moral, and religious objections to taking the life of another unborn human holds absolutely no weight under this Administration. If that weren't enough, today's actions are a complete misinterpretation of long-standing federal law known as the Weldon amendment, that would withhold federal dollars from flowing to California should the state persist in requiring all health plans to cover abortions. Clearly, respect for the law has never been a top priority for the White House.

"Today's decision, now perhaps more than ever, reveals why this Congress must act immediately to pass my bill, H.R. 4828, Conscience Protection Act. The legislation would codify the Weldon amendment and allow citizens affected by this HHS decision a right of action, to petition the courts for a redress of grievances. This Administration is hell bent on forcing Americans to accept, without recourse, their worldview and it is time to push back on these brazen attacks to liberty."

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