Political Quotes

“I rise today to address Senator Blunt's amendment to the surface transportation bill, which deals with the Obama Administration's recent proposal to require group and individual health insurance plans, with the exception of those issued to churches or other houses of worship, to cover contraceptive care for all women. I believe the administration's proposal is inadequate, but I will not support the Blunt Amendment because I believe it is too broad. I want to discuss how this amendment came before the Senate and then I will lay out the reasons why I will vote against it and offer a different way forward. The question before us deals with one of the most controversial matters raised by the Affordable Care Act--which is finding a balance between requiring health insurance plans to cover a core level of benefits and respecting the religious rights and moral beliefs of those who will be mandated to purchase these health insurance products. This is a difficult issue because religious freedom, as enshrined in the Bill of Rights, is literally the first of our freedoms. And the issue of access to quality health insurance for every American is at the cornerstone of the Affordable Care Act. I would like to quickly review how the administration has addressed this question in its regulations implementing the Affordable Care Act.…”