Dropping the pretense in the war on contraception

[jaxx]

Dropping the pretense in the war on contraception
By Steve Benen
-
Mon Feb 13, 2012 8:46 AM EST

As far as the White House is concerned, Friday's compromise on contraception coverage effectively ends the matter. Religiously affiliated institutions won't be required to pay for birth control, but women who work for these employers will still have access to the same preventive care as everyone else. As Tricia noted earlier, the West Wing doesn't see anything else to talk about.

Congressional Republicans strongly disagree. Indeed, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) raised quite a few eyebrows yesterday when he endorsed a controversial proposal to allow all American employers to deny women contraception coverage altogether.

"You know if we end up having to try to overcome the President's opposition by legislation, of course, I'd be happy to support it and intend to support it. It would be difficult as long as the President is rigid in his view that he gets to decide what somebody else's religion is. I assume he would veto it. But yeah, we will be voting on that in the Senate. And you can anticipate that that would happen as soon as possible."

<..> The "it's about religious liberty" talking point effectively died on Friday. The longer the GOP keeps up this fight, the more obvious the party's war on contraception will be. Given the support contraception access enjoys with the American mainstream, it's a fight Republicans are very likely to lose.

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...traception

Excellent piece by Steve Benen. The pubs are out to take away not only abortion, but the means to stop pregnancies. How very ugly.

[jaxx]

McConnell: This is about freedom of religion



http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7...ontentBody

[SeattleGirl]

(02-13-2012 01:12 PM)jaxx Wrote:  McConnell: This is about freedom of religion


http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7...ontentBody

No Mitch, this is about the Republican's hatred of, and war on, women.

They disgust me beyond words.

[jaxx]

(02-13-2012 01:44 PM)SeattleGirl Wrote:  

(02-13-2012 01:12 PM)jaxx Wrote:  McConnell: This is about freedom of religion


http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7...ontentBody

No Mitch, this is about the Republican's hatred of, and war on, women.

They disgust me beyond words.

They disgust me too. I saw where Snowe and Collins are for the Obama rule on contraception, now where are the other 3 GOP women senators?
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/02/...tion-rule/

[jaxx]

UPDATE: Senator Ayotte has just come out against Obama’s proposal. Here’s her statement, sent over by her office:

“The president’s proposal leaves religious institutions vulnerable to federal coercion. This debate has always been about religious freedom. As I fight for a full repeal of Obamacare, I will continue to push for a legislative solution that protects conscience rights.”

Also to add:
Snowe: “It appears that changes have been made that provide women’s health services without compelling Catholic organizations in particular to violate the beliefs and tenets of their faith.”

Collins: “While I will carefully review the details of the president’s revised proposal, it appears to be a step in the right direction...The administration has finally listened to the concerns raised by many and appears to be seeking to avoid the threat to religious liberties posed by its original plan.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum..._blog.html

[jaxx]

Senators Challenge Insurance Mandate
Feb 13 2012
43 Republicans Submit Amicus Brief On Behalf Of The Supreme Court Challenge Filed By States And Small Businesses

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and 42 of his colleagues filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court Monday on behalf of the bipartisan, multi-state challenge to the Democrats' health spending law.

"The Democrats' 2,700 page health spending bill represents an unprecedented and unconstitutional expansion of the federal government into the daily lives of every American," Sen. McConnell said. "Americans have rejected the law's mandate that they must buy government-approved health insurance, and we hope the Supreme Court will do the same."

<..> The brief was signed by:

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Sen. Daniel Coats (R-IN), Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), Sen. Michael Enzi (R-WY), Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV), Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND), Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE), Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN), Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), Sen. James Risch (R-ID), Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Sen. John Thune (R-SD), Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA), Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS).
###

SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
http://republican.senate.gov/public/inde...21ed50a8d7

So all 5 republican women senators signed off on this. So much for Collins and Snowe supporting contraception.