Washington—In response to news reports that the Trump administration plans to allow any employer to cite religion as an excuse to refuse to offer health insurance that covers birth control, People For the American Way Executive Vice President Marge Baker released the following statement:

“Trump’s team continues to pay lip service to ‘women’s empowerment,’ but this move shows his administration for what it is—an enormous threat to women’s most fundamental rights.

“Unfortunately, this draft rule is entirely in line with the attacks on women’s health that Trump and the Republican Congress carry out every chance they get.

“Religious liberty is a core American value that protects each individual’s right to free exercise of their religion without government intrusion. We have to be crystal clear: that is not what’s happening here. Religious liberty is not a weapon to undermine the rights of others. It’s not an excuse to deny needed health care to millions of women. And attempting to use it in that way is an insult to true religious freedom.”

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and defend constitutional values including free expression, religious liberty, equal justice under the law, and the right to meaningfully participate in our democracy.

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