House to Vote on Fleming Conscience Protection Legislation

Statement

"I anticipate that H.R. 4828 will come to the floor this week using a Senate bill as its vehicle so that the Senate can give it its quick attention. My bill has 85 co-sponsors and I have introduced the bill every Congress since 2011. Speaker Ryan has shown great leadership in making this a priority for this Congress and I thank him for his commitment on this important issue.

"I was pleased to meet the witnesses following last week's Energy and Commerce forum on H.R. 4828 and conscience protection. The panel of physicians, nurses, and pastors along with the original amendment author, Congressman Dave Weldon M.D., presented personal testimony on the present day need to preserve the rights of health care providers to practice medicine according to the dictates of their conscience, and for churches to be able purchase health care plans absent abortion. Medical experts, in particular, are facing a real life crisis. The government is pushing harder and harder to replace expert medical opinion, experience, and choice with bureaucratic decisions and coercive abortion practices.

"I've been a family physician for over 30 years and can tell you that those in the medical field are some of the most dedicated and caring individuals out there. The government has zero business forcing these men and women to participate -- in any way -- in an abortion."

H.R. 4828 codifies the "Weldon Amendment' which has passed every year since 2004. The bill enjoys strong support from groups like the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; Catholic Medical Association; American College of Pediatricians; American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Susan B. Anthony List; Family Research Council; The National Association of Catholic Nurses; National Right to Life Committee; and the American Academy of Fertility Care Professionals. Please see this letter of support for additional coalitions.

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