ACTION ALERT: PROTECT CONSCIENCE RIGHTS: VOTE NO ON S. 2578 TO: State and Territorial Court Regents and Legislative Chairs FROM: Carol Ghiloni, National Legislative Co-Chair, Catholic Daughters DATE: August 21, 2014 Action Requested: Congress is currently on summer recess and will be returning September 8. Prior to its recess, a bill titled “Protect Women’s Health from Corporate Interference Act” (S. 2578) failed by a narrow margin. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) preserved the right to have the Senate take up this measure again when it returns on September 8. Many Senators are now present in their home states. Take this opportunity to contact your Senators; thank those who opposed S. 2578, and urge those who supported the bill to reconsider their position and vote against any future motion to advance or approve this bill. Contact members of the Senate through e-mail, phone calls, or FAX. Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121, or call the local offices of your Senator. Full contact information is available at senate.gov Message: Unless S. 2578 is defeated, it has the potential to negate all federal laws protecting conscience rights. Its passage would mark the first time in history that Congress has acted specifically to reduce Americans’ religious freedom. Please vote NO on S. 2578 to protect the nation’s commitment to religious liberty. Background: This bill was written in response to this year’s Supreme Court decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby. The decision affirmed that closely held companies (i.e. family-owned businesses) are protected under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. These companies do not have to provide insurance coverage for contraceptives that are in violation of their religious beliefs. S. 2578 goes far beyond that decision and, if passed, would apply to all present and future coverage mandates, not just contraception. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has spoken out in opposition of the bill. “The bill’s rollback of federal conscience protection applies to any [specific health care item or service] mandated by [any provision of Federal law or the regulations promulgated thereunder] (Sec. 4 (a)).” The Bishops further state that the bill denies religious freedom rights not only to employers, but to employees, employee organizations, insurers, individuals and families. Reminder: Make contact as an individual citizen using your name and address – not as a member of Catholic Daughters. Approved: Shirley Seyfried, National Regent
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 18:03:31 +0000