Senate GOP Discussing Response to Obama’s Contraception Mandate
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AbleStock/PolkaDot/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — Senate Republicans say that discussions are underway about a possible legislative response to President Obama’s controversial contraception rule, arguing that that the issue is not about contraception but religious liberty.
“This is unprecedented, this is not a women’s rights issue,” Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., said along with other members of the Republican leadership at a press conference Wednesday. “This is a religious rights issue. This is a religious liberty issue.”
Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota says the decision amounted to a, “trampling of the First Amendment” and a, “systematic dismantling of religious liberty for people in this country.”
Hopes are not high among Republicans that the White House is working towards overturning the Health and Human Services regulations, even if the administration Tuesday indicated openness to compromise.
“If you listen to what they are saying, they are just trying to change the subject and kick it down the road a year,” Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said.
“The solution is for the president to say, ‘you know what maybe we overreached, maybe we went too far, we’ve heard from a lot of people and we’re going to reconsider this decision,’” Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said.
Senators called on the Congress to act if the administration does not.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio