Democrats unveil bill to reverse Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby ruling
Source: CBS News
Accusing the Supreme Court of turning a religious freedom law on its head and dragging down women's rights, a group of Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday introduced legislation that would reverse the court's recent ruling on health insurance coverage for birth control.
"We are peddling back with this court as fast as they can take us to the 19th Century," Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., said. "We don't want to go."
Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that closely-held companies like Hobby Lobby don't have to follow the Obamacare mandate requiring large firms to help pay for their employees' birth control. Sens. Mark Udall, D-Colo., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., consequently introduced a bill that specifically bans for-profit employers from refusing to provide health coverage -- including contraceptive coverage -- guaranteed to their employees under federal law.
(snip)
The law introduced Wednesday would not amend the RFRA, but it clarifies that it doesn't allow for-profit companies to opt out of the Obamacare contraception coverage rule. The bill would also nullify court challenges against the Obama administration's compromise rule for nonprofits that object to the contraception coverage. The law would still allow exemption for houses of worship.
more at link
Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/democrats-unveil-bill-to-reverse-supreme-courts-hobby-lobby-ruling/
Dems: Supreme Court Turned Religious Freedom Law 'On Its Head'
(snip)
As a reaction to that ruling, Democrats in the House and Senate have introduced the Protect Women’s Health from Corporate Interference Act, a bill that would override the Supreme Court's decision and prevent for-profit employers from using RFRA to opt out of federal laws. The bill would prevent companies like Hobby Lobby from refusing to cover any of the 20 forms of contraception that the Affordable Care Act requires them to include in their health insurance plans.
Boxer said the bill would make it clear that the Supreme Court can't use RFRA "to deny women equal health care, or frankly to deny anyone the right to choose their health care."
The bill is expected to move to the Senate floor for a vote as early as next week, but is not likely to be taken up in the GOP-controlled House. While the bill currently has no Republican co-sponsors, Democrats said they are talking to their colleagues across the aisle about the bill and are optimistic about its chances.
(snip)
Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), Diana Degette (D-Colo.) and Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) will introduce the companion bill in the House.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/09/dems-supreme-court-misapp_n_5570836.html?utm_hp_ref=politics
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/08/hobby-lobby-override_n_5568320.html
“This bill will ensure that employee access to critical health services is not at the mercy of their bosses’ religious beliefs,” the lawmakers said in a statement. “Congress never intended to allow corporate employers to block employee access to critical preventive services like birth control."
Dems Roll Out Bill To Overturn Hobby Lobby: Women 'Tired Of Being Targeted'
(snip)
The "Protect Women's Health From Corporate Interference Act," written by Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Mark Udall (D-CO), would force for-profit businesses to cover birth control and other preventive services required under Obamacare even if their owners object. It had 35 cosponsors upon introduction — all Democrats.
"At a time when 99 percent of sexually active women in the U.S. have used birth control, five justices decided last week that a CEO's personal views can interfere with a woman's access to this preventive service," Murray told a room full of reporters. "They're tired of being targeted and are looking to Congress to right this wrong by the Supreme Court."
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/democrats-roll-out-bill-overturn-hobby-lobby?utm_content=bufferbdfcf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
= new reply since forum marked as read
I hold little hope for success. This would need Teapublican support. Right. One more way to obstruct will be all they view it as.
To make matters worse it would be against the interests of a corporate person. The interests of a corporate person following their sincere two year old beliefs acting in the name of their god no less.
Still this bill should continue to be introduced, at least 43 times or however many times the bill to repeal the ACA has been introduced. Special hearings should be held and special comities formed, we need just follow the Benghazi game plan.
Keep this in front and do not allow it to be forgotten.
If it does nothing but pick up enough seats to allow the right thing to be done.
Keep in mind that the rank and file Tepublicans you see dragging their knuckles at things like OAS, are just that. The befuddled masses. The GOP has at their disposal the same intelligence power that makes our Corporate State "great".
I doubt they give the gonzo Gohmerts and misguided Cruz missiles a whole lot of actual authority. Their job is to sing the words written for them in a way the 'base' will dance to the music of the strategy.
'Good' business men like the Kochs and the Romneys call the tune and you had best bet they have top people masking sure their representatives don't do anything unproductive.
Still if they get caught out in a stealth move let me be the first to buy you a tall frosty.
After I'm done laughing my butt of that is. 
