On the recordMarch 24, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady for first hosting this Special Order tonight, and I appreciate you recognizing me to speak here tonight. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in defense of our First Amendment rights and in support of the millions of American jobs, livelihoods, and health care plans that are now in jeopardy as a result of the ObamaCare HHS mandate. Tomorrow, the Supreme Court will be hearing oral arguments in both the Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties v. Sebelius cases challenging the constitutionality of the ObamaCare HHS mandate. I am hopeful that the court will recognize and acknowledge that the mandate unquestionably infringes upon Americans' rights of conscience and the freedom to live and work according to one's faith or religious beliefs. This ObamaCare mandate wrongfully forces American citizens to choose between their conscience or face oppressive fines, as the gentlelady has already pointed out, that will undoubtedly destroy family-owned businesses across this great country. Equally alarming is that this mandate will drive employers to stop offering health insurance coverage to their employees altogether to escape the encroaching hand of government that is coercing individuals to violate their fundamental freedoms. We have to remember this is occurring at a time when ObamaCare is cutting millions of jobs and forcing taxpayers from full-time jobs to part-time jobs.…





