HOBBY LOBBY: Murray Statement on Administration’s Rule Regarding Religious Accommodations for Closely-Held Corporations
(Washington, D.C.) – Today U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on the administration’s definition of a closely-held corporation following the Supreme Court decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.
“Today’s announcement allows a wide range of businesses power over the health care decisions of the women they employ, and shows once again why the Supreme Court’s deeply harmful ruling in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby is completely unacceptable.
“Only a year has passed since five male justices told American women their health care decisions and benefits are their boss’s business. Already, we’ve seen employers across the country deny women access to health insurance benefits they have earned, and threaten a worker’s right to make their own autonomous decisions about everything from vaccinations to HIV treatment.
“In the 21st century, women should be able to make their own decisions about their own bodies—and no one should have to ask their boss for permission to get the health care they need. I’m committing to continuing to fight, along with the Administration and all my colleagues, to fix this Supreme Court-issued license to discriminate and protect the rights of women and families across our country.”
