Lamar Smith: “I support the Equitable Access to Care and Health (EACH) Act. This bill provides a modest expansion of the religious…”

“I support the Equitable Access to Care and Health (EACH) Act. This bill provides a modest expansion of the religious conscience exemption in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This bipartisan legislation has 218 cosponsors. The ACA currently provides for a religious conscience exemption; however, the exemption gives preference to only a few faiths. This exemption should be expanded to accommodate other religions whose ``sincerely-held religious beliefs'' would cause them not to purchase insurance. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this important piece of legislation. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Duncan of Tennessee). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schock) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1814. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________”