I thank the gentleman for yielding and for all the work that he has done to protect life and religious freedom.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong disapproval of religious discrimination by the D.C. local government.
Mr. Speaker, one of the founding principles of our great country is the freedom to worship without government interference. Our forefathers fought and died for that liberty. And I stand before you today to make sure they did not die in vain.
The law passed by the D.C. City Council attacks the core religious beliefs of faith-based organizations, schools, and pro-life advocates. Under this law these groups could be forced to pay for health services that are in direct conflict with their fundamental beliefs. Under this law, a D.C.-based nonprofit whose sole mission is to end abortion – could be forced to pay for abortion services. This is not only unacceptable, but stands in direct opposition to the Constitution and federal law.
That is why I am proud to co-sponsor Congresswoman [Diane] Black’s [(R-Tenn.)] resolution that formally expresses Congress’s disapproval of the D.C. pro-abortion law. I stand here today to defend the rights of religious institutions and pro-life companies to honor their faith and respect the sanctity of life.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that life is our greatest gift. I admire the work that many of these faith-based and pro-life organizations do to change hearts and minds in this abortion debate. And I will not stand idly by to watch their religious freedoms trampled on. I urge my colleagues to do the same and vote in favor of this resolution.