Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10) released the following statement after House passage of the Conscience Protection Act of 2016:

“No American should be forced to choose between following their conscience or following the law. Yet—on the issue of abortion—that is exactly what the Obama Administration is forcing medical professionals to do. The Conscience Protection Act changes that by reaffirming long-standing federal policy which allows doctors and hospitals who oppose abortion to live out the tenets of their faith.” 

BACKGROUND:

The Conscience Protection Act of 2016 reaffirms the protections found in the Weldon amendment. Next, the bill opens the courts to discriminated individuals and entities to obtain necessary legal relief. Finally, the bill clarifies that nothing in the Act prevents providers from voluntarily electing to participate in abortion or makes changes to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. Read more about this legislation here.