BRADY INTRODUCES RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS

TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Springfield – State Senator Bill Brady has introduced a resolution in the General Assembly urging Congress to act to safeguard the First Amendment by overturning an order of the Obama Administration mandating  religious-affiliated institutions to provide specific insurance coverages.

“This is an argument about the rights of many faiths and their practitioners throughout this country to exercise their right of conscience and religious freedoms without interference from the federal government,” said Brady (R., Bloomington).  “This is not an argument about contraception.”

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius has issued an order directing American employers, including religious organizations and religious-affiliated institutions, to provide specific insurance coverage as part of the Affordable Health Care Act.

“The required practices directly contravene the teachings and beliefs of many religious dominations and their practitioners,” Brady said.  “Our Constitution protects the free exercise of religion, and many believe President Obama’s directive is an assault on the religious liberty of every American who practices those faiths.”

Brady said the Obama Administration’s actions will impact the ability of many religious-affiliated schools, universities and health care facilities to continue to provide services to their employees and families and to people of faith.

Brady’s resolution, introduced Monday afternoon, is Senate Joint Resolution 60.  (http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=60&GAID=11&DocTypeID=SJR&LegId=66816&SessionID=84&GA=97)

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