Congressman links contraception mandate to 9/11, Pearl Harbor Day

Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa, and Republican members of the U.S. House

/ CBS News

(CBS News) Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., an ardent opponent of the contraception mandate that went into effect Wednesday, is comparing the beginning of the mandate to the attacks on Pearl Harbor and the September 11 terrorist attacks.

"I know in your mind you can think of the times that America was attacked," Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., said during a news conference. "One is December 7th, that's Pearl Harbor Day; the other is September 11th and that's the day of a terrorist attack. I want you to remember August the first 2012 the attack on our religious freedom. That is the date that will live in infamy along with those other dates."

"Today is the day that religious freedom died," Kelly said.

(Rep. Kelly compares contraception mandate to Pearl Harbor, 9/11.)

Some religious organizations, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, have vehemently opposed the mandate, which requires employers to provide free contraception coverage as part of their health care plans, including access to the "morning after pill." A religious exception was carved out for religious-affiliated organizations, such as universities and hospitals.

The exception did not go far enough for the rule's critics, who say the mandate is an assault on religious freedom.

"One word to remember today the word is bigotry - religious bigotry. Thinly-veiled religious bigotry," Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan, said.

"No American should be forced to choose between their faith and their jobs. That a false choice. That is un-American," Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb, said at the same news conference.

The Obama administration is standing by its rule.

"No woman should have to chose between seeing her doctor and putting food on the table for her family. Now many women won't have to make that difficult choice any longer," Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said.

UPDATE, 6:33 p.m. Eastern Time: Senator Daniel K. Inouye, D-HI, has called Kelly's comments "misguided and insulting."

"It is complete nonsense to suggest that a matter discussed, debated, and approved by the Congress and the President is akin to a surprise attack that killed nearly 2,500 people and launched our nation into the second World War or a terrorist attack that left nearly 3,000 dead and led to fighting and dying in Afghanistan and Iraq," he said.

[Pay17KIndHlthInsCovAYr]

Hear! Hear!

Amazing that a politician can use the word "Freedom" and (no can have) all in the same speech.

Further, there is no such thing as "FREE", except maybe viagra! And of course lobbyist money, but of course, we the little people don't get any of that!

I really am tired but will hang in there to spite how the GOP (in particular) tries to wear us (women, and men who think for themselves) down!

I pay dearly for my health care insurance because I am terrified of the thought with being at the mercy of Republicans! The US, to the best of my knowledge, is the only industrialized country without some sort of health care program that makes sense. In this country you are assured of getting only the very best health care if you have nothing, are poor, if you are a career politician, or a retired career politician. The rest of us are on our own!

[smartalecq]

The Republican's idea of freedom is restricting others.
In this case restricting women's access to contraceptives.

The church needs to evolve from stories made 3000 years ago.

[mrscrc]

This clown is my representative, it is unbelievable what a small man he is. I hope that everyone in our district will do their part and remove this tiny man from office. The choice is clear...He must go. I did just move to this area so i take no responsibility for him being in office.

[RollotheNorman]

I thought I had heard overblown hyperbole, but this little RepubliCON lad deserves some kind of trophy.

[realisticfromthemiddle]

Pearl Harbor.....9/11....... Really?

[dj_chi]

Weren't these institutions already covering contraception in some states, where it is already required?! Why is it that NOW they have a problem?!

[walyern]

Here's the deal, Churches and many other faith based organizations receive tax exemption statuses. This means, they pay little or no taxes, and receive money from the government for their operations. NO EMPLOYER, NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE, CAN USE GOVERNMENT MONEY TO DISCRIMINATE. Our rights are to our individual selves, not to be enforced to others. If you run a church and you don't agree with something, you do not have the right to use government funding to enforce it on others. Rep Kelly, this part of this bill actually strengthens the constitution, and our country. We are stronger for it.

[cbs_tom]

"NO EMPLOYER, NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE, CAN USE GOVERNMENT MONEY TO DISCRIMINATE".

Agreed! However, our money is not the governments and money not paid in taxes is not the governments. It only becomes the governments when it is paid to the government.

[tvwatcher5345]

my girlfriend is a nurse and used to be a republican and has a daughter, i kept pointing out the republican's issues with contraception and a woman's/family's choice.....she will not be voting republican

[SECUREOURBORDERSNOW]

Did you also tell her about how Mayor Bloomberg wants baby formula locked up so that new mothers will have to breastfeed. If the new mother insists on formula, new mother must have a discussion with the lactation consult on staff. If the new mother still wants formula, this must be documented in the records. Does this sound like the free America we've known all our lives? It doesn't to me. This proves that progressives feel there isn't any limit to what can be legislated on the American people to force them into a behavior that the government desires.

[doubleecho-2009]

The far-right Republican agenda, which has very unfortunately taken precidence over "moderate" (reality-based) Conservatism is in for a REAL shock this November! While the far-right nut-cases may be VERY vocal - they are still a SMALL minority!
President Obama pretty much has a sure-win landslide coming up here!

[AttyFAM]

One of the best counters to this idiot comes from Senator Reid in today's Huffington Post. I quote a couple parts of it:
-----------------------------------------
Beginning today, for the first time, new insurance plans will be required to cover -- without any co-pays -- well-woman visits, contraception, breastfeeding support and supplies, screening for gestational diabetes, screening and counseling for domestic violence, as well as testing for HPV and HIV.

. . .

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, by 2014, almost 19 million uninsured women will be eligible for comprehensive health coverage, women may no longer be charged more for the same policy as men, and women cannot be denied coverage because they have a pre-existing condition.

Asking American women to continue denying themselves the care they need is unacceptable. Only by focusing on America's best interest, rather than our own political interests, will we have a stronger, healthier future together.
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