Ann Wagner: “I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for hosting this Special Order. There is no greater defender or champion for…”

“I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for hosting this Special Order. There is no greater defender or champion for faith or family or freedom than Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to protect the conscience of the American people. Since taking office in January of last year, I have heard from countless constituents on how the government is abusing their individual freedoms under ObamaCare over and over again. I recently heard from my constituent, George, a seminarian from St. Louis County, about the administration's mandate. He notes that what the administration is asking Catholic hospitals and nonprofits to do is in direct opposition to our Catholic beliefs. He writes to me: Mrs. Wagner, I ask you to please stand up for us. We are being persecuted and unjustly forced to comply with procedures that are in conflict with our own beliefs. As George articulated, the United States Federal Government is currently discriminating against its citizens of faith in this country. One of this country's founding principles is the freedom to worship without interference by the Federal Government. Our forefathers did not flee from oppressive nations, build a country on liberties, and emblaze them in the Bill of Rights just for this administration to trample on them over and over again. Yet the rule issued by the administration under ObamaCare does just that.…”