Marathon Pundit: Dem senators on attack on religious freedom: Boneheaded, wrong, and un-American

Thursday, February 09, 2012

Dem senators on attack on religious freedom: Boneheaded, wrong, and un-American

It's not just Republicans who oppose the White House forcing religious institutions to offer "free" contraception and abortion services to their employees.

From the Senate Republican Communications Center:

‘Bone-Headed’ & ‘Wrong’
A Growing Chorus Of Senate Democrats Are Criticizing President Obama’s ‘Affront To’ Religious Freedom, Calling It ‘Un-American,’ ‘Bone-Headed,’ & ‘Wrong’

SENATE DEM: ‘An Encroachment On Religious Freedom’

SEN. BILL NELSON (D-FL): “My position is that church affiliated organizations should be exempt, not just churches.” (“Nelson Breaks With Obama On Contraception Rule,” Tampa Bay Times, 2/9/12)

·         “…he has called three White House officials to express disapproval with the controversial new contraception rule affecting religious groups…He joins an emerging group of Democrats who are opposing President Obama on the contentious issue.” (“Nelson Breaks With Obama On Contraception Rule,” Tampa Bay Times, 2/9/12)

SEN. BEN NELSON (D-NE): “This was a bone-headed decision by H-H-S.” (Nebraska Radio Network, 2/8/12)

·         “…he is hoping to convince other senators to join their effort to get this requirement removed.” (Nebraska Radio Network, 2/8/12)

SEN. JOE LIEBERMAN (ID-CT): “I am opposed...” (Sen. Lieberman, Twitter, 2/8/12)

SEN. BOB CASEY (D-PA): “I oppose this decision and am deeply disappointed…” (“Boehner Hits W.H. On Contraceptives,” Politico, 2/8/12)

·         “Sen. Bob Casey, has called on the president to ‘immediately’ reverse his decision...” (“Pressure Mounts On White House Over Contraception Decision,” CBS News, 2/8/12)

SEN. JOE MANCHIN (D-WV): “This mandate is a direct affront to the religious freedomsprotected under the First Amendment of our Constitution. This is not only unacceptable, it is un-American.” (Sen. Manchin, Letter To President Obama, 2/8/12)

·         “These outcomes are intolerable… I ask that you restore the religious freedoms of these employers…” (Sen. Manchin, Letter To President Obama, 2/8/12)

·         “I thought it was wrong and an encroachment on religious freedom and the constitution…” (Sen. Manchin, Fox and Friends, 2/9/12)