Hatch Statement on 'Little Sisters of the Poor' Supreme Court Oral Arguments

Statement

Senator Orrin Hatch, the longest-serving member and former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on the opening arguments of Zubik v. Burwell, the Little Sisters of the Poor Supreme Court case:

"Enjoying our God-given right to religious freedom--including the right to live and act according to one's most deeply held beliefs--has always been at the core of what it means to be an American. That's why I helped author the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which prohibits the government from substantially burdening the exercise of religion unless it uses the least restrictive means to achieve a compelling purpose. The Obama administration, however, has flouted its duty to protect religious freedom, mandating that religious non-profits such as the Little Sisters of the Poor facilitate provision of services that violate their religious beliefs or face crippling financial penalties. I urge the Supreme Court to apply RFRA as Congress intended and pledge never to rest in defending religious freedom."

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