CURE Urges Senate to Oppose H.R. 8373

H.R. 8373 Tramples on Religious Freedom and Grants Special Standing to Abortifacients

Dear Senator:

The Senate may soon consider H.R. 8373, the “Right to Contraception Act.” This bill
undermines conscience rights and could force states and non-profit organizations to be complicit in the distribution of abortifacients. Therefore, we urge you to oppose this ill-advised legislation.

In referencing the Supreme Court’s prior decisions relating to contraception (Griswold v.
Connecticut, Eisenstadt v. Baird, Carey v. Population Services Int’l), the majority opinion in the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision states clearly that it “does not undermine them in any way.” Nonetheless, supporters of H.R. 8373 insist on advancing a straw man argument to trample on the conscience rights of the Little Sisters of the Poor, employees of state and local governments, and other Americans whose religious beliefs and conscientious objections preclude them from participating in the distribution of abortifacients.

As they did in their national abortion on demand bill, advocates of H.R. 8373 preempt, in Sec.5(a)(1), the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). Nevermind that Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was the House sponsor of RFRA when it passed the House unanimously, passed the Senate 97-3, and was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. The radical drift of the current congressional majority has led it to shred RFRA repeatedly when applying it doesn’t comport with their extreme cultural agenda.

H.R. 8373 confers special standing on products “approved, cleared or granted de novo
classification by the Food and Drug Administration.” This includes “long-acting reversible
contraceptives” and “emergency contraceptives.” This Administration is aggressively promoting abortion pills and defining contraception in a broad manner. Their appointees refuse to define “woman” but define contraception in a manner that includes abortifacient drugs and devices. The language in this bill will reinforce their determination to promote abortifacients.

We appreciate your commitment to religious freedom and the sanctity of human life, and urge you to oppose the abuse of federal authority H.R. 8373 seeks to codify.

Sincerely,

Star Parker – President
Marty Dannenfelser – Vice President, Government Relations and Coalitions