Washington, DC – Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) introduced an amendment during today’s full committee markup on the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill for FY2016 that would prevent funds from being used towards the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act. Palazzo released a statement following passage of the amendment:
“This bill, deceivingly named the Reproductive Heath Non-Discrimination Amendment Act, takes steps to surpass the religious principles held by many of the people who live and work in the District of Columbia. Under this misguided law’s extremely broad language, any employer or employment agency is prohibited from making a decision to employ an individual based on their personal feelings about birth control or abortion.
“For example, a Catholic school could be required to hire a teacher that advocates for the use of abortion as a birth control option. While the First Amendment gives that teacher every legal right to share her opinions publicly, the same First Amendment protects religious institutions from being forced to hire someone who actively advocates against core principles of that organization.
“Forcing a religious institution to make employment decisions that disregard their values and beliefs goes against the freedoms, liberties, and constitutional rights of our country. ”
In 2012, the Supreme Court unanimously affirmed the right of religious organizations to hire individuals that support the mission of the organization where the individual is responsible for carrying out that mission. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in Burwell vs. Hobby Lobby that employers have the right to operate their businesses according to their religious principles.
Last year, the District of Columbia City Council passed The Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act. Before any bill passed by the City Council takes effect, it is subject to Congressional Review. When the law was first signed, Representative Diane Black introduced a resolution of disapproval that was passed on April 30th of this year by a vote of 228-192.
