Family Research Council Praises House Passage of Conscience Protection Act

WASHINGTON, July 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Conscience Protection Act to stop government discrimination against pro-life Americans who object to being forced to participate in abortion. Family Research Council urged Congress to pass this significant pro-life legislation.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement:

"Only one day after the Republican Party's platform committee adopted a plank protecting conscience rights, the House of Representatives stepped in to do the same. I applaud the House for voting to codify longstanding federal conscience protections, and to give pro-life victims of government discrimination the right to sue in court. No person, organization or healthcare provider should ever be forced by the government to participate in the abhorrent act of abortion.

"Since the federal Department of Health and Human Services has dragged its feet and is now ignoring the federal law, known as the Weldon Amendment, this legislation is necessary to enable victims of government discrimination over their pro-life views, including churches, doctors, and nurses, to pursue legal action against the state for violating their consciences. The Conscience Protection Act is about basic fairness for everyone.

"I want to thank Rep. John Fleming, M.D. in particular for his work drafting this legislation, and Rep. Diane Black for sponsoring it. Also, our thanks go to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Leader Kevin McCarthy for bringing this bill to a vote, and to Rep. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. Joe Pitts for their tireless work on this legislation. Now that the Conscience Protection Act has passed the House, we are one step closer to providing judicial relief from California's unlawful and discriminatory abortion mandate. We are one step closer to ensuring that if the federal government and states discriminate against pro-life health care providers, and even churches which object to abortion, they can sue to obtain relief. I urge the Senate to follow the House's example and pass this legislation and force President Obama to decide whether the freedom to believe still has a place in American society," concluded Perkins.

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SOURCE Family Research Council