In the News

By Craig Gilbert of the Journal Sentinel

 

On a conference call with reporters Wednesday, House Democrat Gwen Moore of Milwaukee defended the Obama’s Administration’s decision not to exempt Catholic universities and hospitals from a requirement that businesses cover contraceptive services for employees.

 

Moore said the issue wasn’t one of government imposing its views on religious groups but “whether or not the church can impose its religious views upon people and dictate that they cannot have health care.” 

 

Moore joined three Democratic colleagues on a conference call organized by the group Americans United for Change. They argued that the law protected religious freedom by exempting churches and houses of worship. The Democrats were reacting to GOP House Speaker John Boehner’s vow Wednesday to push legislation to overturn the Administration policy, which he called “an unambiguous attack on religious freedom.”

 

You can see Moore’s floor statement on the issue here.

 

UPDATE: House Democrat Tammy Baldwin of Madison also defended the Administration's decision,  saying in a statement Wednesday that: "Congress can impose no laws on a church. Nevertheless every woman, regardless of her faith, should have access to full insurance coverage and preventive care. For example, a nurse who works at a religiously affiliated hospital should have access to the same coverage as a nurse who works for a public one."