February 9, 2012

Several House Republicans on Wednesday morning protested the Obama administration’s decision not to exempt religious organizations from a requirement to provide birth control coverage in healthcare plans, including contraceptives and abortion drugs.

Obama’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) exempted churches and other places of worship from the requirement, but did not extend the same exemption to religious-backed universities and other organizations.

“As an Irish Catholic, I remind my co-religionists and all Americans that no government can come between you and your conscience and the central tenants of your creed,” an angry Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.) said on the House floor.