Conscience Protection Act of 2016

Floor Speech

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Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, a central principle in our Nation's history has been a clear rejection of government forcing someone to take an action that violates their religious or moral convictions.

Americans rejected being forced to return runaway slaves. We rejected forced conscription against conscientious objections. We reject being forced to support State-run churches. And now we must reject the forced participation in the killing of unborn life.

No one should be forced to have an abortion, no one should be forced to participate in an abortion, and no one should be discriminated against for refusing to collaborate in an abortion. When government endangers these protections and discriminates against healthcare providers who are holding fast to their moral convictions, it is time to provide safeguards. That is why I urge the House to pass S. 304, the Conscience Protection Act of 2016.

No one should be forced to purchase health plans that cover abortions. Certainly, no one--nurses, doctors, or other healthcare providers--should be forced to help carry out an abortion against their conscience. Certainly, no one should be punished or discriminated against for refusing to carry out this gruesome procedure.

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