Todd Tiahrt: “On July 11, the D.C. Council passed a bill which would require employers in the District of Columbia to provide…”

“On July 11, the D.C. Council passed a bill which would require employers in the District of Columbia to provide contraceptive coverage to their employees. Despite the fact that a good conscience clause exempting employers who wish to waive this on religious or moral obligations was offered, it was not adopted by the council. Furthermore, the debate got rather ugly and some council members espoused anti-Catholic and anti-Christian beliefs in the course of this discussion. One of the provisions that would be deleted by the gentlewoman's amendment would be the requirement for the District of Columbia City Council to go back and reconsider the conscience clause, allowing for religious and moral obligations. Now, if the concern is that there are not contraceptives available in the District of Columbia, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, there are 10 locations inside the District of Columbia where contraceptives can be obtained free. Contraceptives are available in the District of Columbia. There is no reason for the District, for the council to carry on this debate about religious and moral convictions not being applicable.”