XPost: soc.women, alt.feminism, alt.activism.children
XPost: alt.feminism.individualism
From: Deport"@dizum.com
Several high-profile Republicans possibly eyeing a presidential
bid in 2016 praised the Supreme Court’s decision in Burwell v.
Hobby Lobby as a victory for religious liberty while also
sharply attacking the Obama administration for executive
overreach through his signature legislative achievement.
In an extremely contentious case splitting advocates of
religious liberty against women’s rights groups, the Supreme
Court ruled today that for-profit corporations with sincerely
held religious beliefs are not required to provide a full range
of contraceptives free of cost to employees pursuant to the
Affordable Care Act.
Louisiana Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal, who is believed to be
considering a campaign for president, said that while he
believes the court’s decision affirms religious freedom of
American families, “believers” will have to find courage to
“stand up for what’s right” as the legal and legislative battle
plays out in the coming months and years.
“These deeply held religious beliefs are more important than the
whims and demands of government,” Jindal wrote in a statement.
“The court has made clear today that the Obama administration’s
assault on religious freedom in this case went too far – but
this assault will not stop, in our courts, in our schools, and
in the halls of power.”
Sen. Marco Rubio, another contender for the Republican
nomination, said the decision reminded him “why Obamacare is
such a flawed law that needs to be entirely repealed and
replaced.”
“Obamacare was written and passed with a clear disregard for the
reality that millions of Americans are inspired by their faiths
in all aspects of their lives, including the way entrepreneurs
manage their businesses,” Rubio, R-Fla., wrote. “In America, no
one should be forced to violate their religious beliefs if they
wish to run a business.”
House Speaker John Boehner also said his objective continues to
be repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
“The president’s health care law remains an unworkable mess and
a drag on our economy,” Boehner, R-Ohio, said. “We must repeal
it and enact better solutions that start with lowering
Americans’ health care costs.”
Sen. Ted Cruz, another Republican often mentioned as a possible
candidate in 2016, called the decision is a “landmark victory
for religious liberty,” while also condemning the White House
for taking executive actions to alter the health care law.
“The decision affirms that Americans, contrary to what the Obama
administration attempted to impose, have a right to live and
work in accordance to their conscience and can’t be forced to
surrender their religious freedom once they open a business,” he
said.
Cruz’s statement struck a similar tone to Sen. Rand Paul,
another Republican considered by pundits as a likely contender.
“Religious liberty will remain intact and all Americans can stay
true to their faith without fear of big government intervention
or punishment,” Paul, R-Ky., wrote in a statement.
Democrats, meanwhile, harshly criticized the Supreme Court for
its ruling today.
“This deeply misguided and destructive decision is a serious
blow to Americans’ ability to make their own health decisions,”
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wrote.
Sen. Patty Murray, who joined 18 other Senate Democrats in
filing an amicus brief in support of the government’s position
in the case, pledged to find a legislative remedy to counter the
court’s decision.
“Since the Supreme Court decided it will not protect women’s
access to health care, I will,” Murray, D-Wash., said in a
statement. “In the coming days I will work with my colleagues
and the administration to protect this access, regardless of who
signs your paycheck.”
Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, ranking Democrat on the House Committee
on Oversight and Government Reform, joined with Sandra Fluke, a
candidate for California State Senate who gained fame when she
was denied the opportunity to testify at a 2012 hearing on the
Affordable Care Act’s required inclusion of contraception
coverage in health plans. Today, the duo called on Congress to
take action “to ensure that women employed by these corporations
continue to have affordable access to reproductive healthcare.”
“While we firmly believe that every American should have the
ability to practice his or her own faith, we cannot ignore the
interests and the health of our nation’s women,” Cummings and
Fluke wrote. “The pill and other contraceptives have had a
profound impact on the well-being of women, giving them the
capacity to make the best decisions about very personal matters
for themselves and their families — and today’s decision puts
the well-being of many women in jeopardy.”
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/06/hobby-lobby-ruling- reignites-calls-for-repeal-by-possible-gop-candidates/
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