Breakling News - Blunt Amendment Defeated by 3 Votes!

  

The U.S. Senate, just hours ago, rejected an initial attempt to prevent the Obama Administration from forcing employers to provide health care insurance that covers drugs or procedures, to which they are morally opposed.

In a very tight vote of 51 to 48, the Senate killed (tabled) an amendment offered by pro-life Senator Roy Blunt. This amendment was strongly supported by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), as well as many national pro-life organizations, including National Right to Life. The Blunt Amendment would have amended the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (S1467, HR1179). It would amend the Obama Health Care Law, to prevent the imposition of regulatory mandates that violate the religious or moral convictions of those who purchase or provide health insurance.

The Obama Administration has issued an initial mandate that covers all FDA approved methods of birth-control. This mandate could be employed by the Administration, in the future, to order all health plans to cover all abortions.

The Blunt Amendment was supported by every voting Senate Republican, except Senator Olympia Snowe, and Senator Mark Kirk, who is on medical leave and could not vote. Every Senate Democrat voted to kill the amendment, except Senator Bob Casey, Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Ben Nelson.

The focus now shifts to the House, where the same legislation, introduced as H.R., 1179 by Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, currently has 220 co-sponsors (more than half of all House members).

ACTION ALERT   :H.R. 1179 will probably be voted on in the very near future. We will keep you informed, but, it is necessary for you to call your U.S. Congressman and urge them to vote YES on the amendment.