(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Sen. David Vitter today spoke at a press conference hosted by U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) in support of the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act, a bipartisan and bicameral measure that would roll back the Obama administration’s requirement that religious organizations provide insurance covering contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs.

“At its core, this is a religious liberty issue. The Obama administration wants to require Americans, regardless of their beliefs, to purchase a product that many have strong personal objections to. And this isn’t just about contraception – the administration mandate covers sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs as well.

“This so-called ‘accommodation’ the president announced last week is nothing more than a word game. It hasn’t changed anything because it still requires employers to offer insurance with these controversial services – even self-insured organizations like many religious hospitals and universities. It may be good enough for President Obama’s conscience, but not for the millions of Americans who cherish their religious liberty,” said Vitter.

Vitter was the only senator present at the press conference and was joined by several dozen members of the House of Representatives. The Respect for Rights of Conscience Act has attracted the support of a bipartisan coalition of more than 220 members in both houses of Congress.

The Senate version of the bill, which Vitter is co-sponsoring, has also been introduced as an amendment to the highway bill currently on the Senate floor.

Vitter is also the author of the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act, which would amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the federal government and any state or local government that receives federal financial assistance from discriminating against organizations and insurers that refuse to participate in abortion-related activities.

-30-