Johanns Disappointed In Senate Failure to Protect Religious Freedoms

“Despite what many would have you believe, this debate is not about health care, it’s about religious liberty.”
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) today expressed his disappointment in the Senate’s failure to advance an amendment to protect religious freedoms. The amendment, cosponsored by Johanns, was offered by Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo) to stop an Obama Administration mandate forcing religious employers to provide birth control and abortion-inducing drugs in their health care plans – even if it violates their moral beliefs. It failed by a vote of 48-51.
"Despite what many would have you believe, this debate is not about health care; it’s about religious liberty,” Johanns said. “Protecting our religious freedoms isn’t a conservative or liberal issue—it’s an American issue. The right to practice religion freely is a cornerstone of our country’s foundation, and forcing religious entities to violate their conscience is in clear violation of that freedom. I will continue to seek ways to rectify this Constitutional breach.”