The Obama administration wants the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether Hobby Lobby should be forced to comply with its mandate requiring for-profit businesses and other employers to offer possible abortion-inducing drugs in their employee health plans.
In July, a federal court granted the Christian-owned arts-and-crafts chain temporary relief from the mandate. This decision came one day after an appeals court issued an opinion favoring such a reprieve.
"The United States government is taking the remarkable position that private individuals lose their religious freedom when they make a living," said Kyle Duncan, general counsel of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, who is representing Hobby Lobby.
The Obama administration required for-profit businesses to comply with the Health and Human Services mandate by August 2012. Nonprofits — many of which are faith-based — have a "safe harbor" until Jan. 1.
Kyle is hopeful the Court will rule favorably.
"We're confident that the Supreme Court will reject the government's extreme position and hold that religious liberty is for everyone — including people who run a business."
Contact: Bethany Monk, CitizenLInk
