These are House Speaker John Boehner’s remarks on the House floor, as prepared for delivery:
“Members of the House:
“In recent days, Americans of every faith and political persuasion have mobilized in objection to a rule put forth by the Obama Administration that constitutes an unambiguous attack on religious freedom in our country.
“This rule would require faith-based employers – including Catholic charities, schools, universities, and hospitals – to provide services they consider immoral. Those services include sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs and devices, and contraception.
“In imposing this requirement, the federal government is violating a First Amendment right that has stood for more than two centuries. And it is doing so in a manner that affects millions of Americans and harms some of our nation’s most vital institutions.
“If the president does not reverse the Department’s attack on religious freedom, then the Congress, acting on behalf of the American people and the Constitution we are sworn to uphold and defend, must.
“In the days ahead, the House will approach this matter fairly and deliberately, through regular order and the appropriate legislative channels.
“Because it has primary jurisdiction on the issues involved, the Energy & Commerce Committee is taking the lead on the legislative process that will be necessary to enact an effective and appropriate solution.
“Chairman Upton convened a hearing last year and began laying the groundwork for legislative action when this flawed rule was first proposed.
“I welcome his efforts to consider all possible options as his committee proceeds with its work.
“This attack by the federal government on religious freedom in our country cannot stand, and will not stand.”
