The Senate voted today against the Blunt amendment that would have restored conscience exemptions for employers who believe that being forced to pay for birth control or abortifacients in their employee health plans is a violation of their religious liberty.
Tha Cardinal Newman Society, along with many leading Catholic institutions and pro-life organizations has worked to stop the HHS contraceptive mandate from taking effect. But Democrats quashed the bill by voting by a 51 to 48 margin to table the motion.
Democrats Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Ben Nelson of Nebraska were three Democrats who crossed sides and voted with the majority of Republicans to support the amendment, according to LifeNews.com. And the report indicated that retiring Republican Senator from Maine, Olympia Snowe, voted against the amendment.
While the defeat of the amendment is a defeat for religious institutions, this issue is far from over. Already the subject of multiple congressional hearings, it will likely be at the heart of further legislation. Several presidential candidates have spoken often of remedying this infringement of religious liberty should they win the election. And this issue is also the subject of multiple lawsuits from several Catholic colleges including those filed by two faithfully Catholic colleges, Belmont Abbey College and Ave Maria University.
Adam Wilson
CNS Staff
Matthew Archbold
Charlotte Hays
2 Comments
From lifesite: “Pro-abortion Republican Olympia Snowe, a Maine senator who recently announced her retirement, was the only GOP lawmakers to oppose the Blunt amendment.”
“Pro-abortion Republican Olympia Snowe, a Maine senator who recently announced her retirement, was the only GOP lawmakers to oppose the Blunt amendment.”
Unfettered by the need to run for re-election, Senator Snowe is now able to vote her “conscience” without concern for any repercussions.
Similarly, if President Obama is re-elected in November, he will be unfettered by the need to run for election again. If you are concerned about his first term, and he is re-elected in November, you ain’t seen nothing yet. For all Republicans, libertarians, and conservatives in the midst of these primary battles, the choice this November is ultimately yours.