FRC Experts To Attend Supreme Court Arguments in Support of the Little Sisters of the Poor

March 22, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Tomorrow, the Director of FRC's Center for Human Dignity, Arina Grossu, will be speaking at the Women Speak for Themselves "Let Them Serve" rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. Family Research Council attorneys Cathy Ruse, Senior Legal Fellow and former chief counsel to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, and Travis Weber, Director of the Center for Religious Liberty, will be inside the courtroom to hear oral arguments in Zubik v. Burwell. This case includes the Little Sisters of the Poor and other challengers to the HHS Mandate such as the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Washington, Priests for Life, and multiple Christian universities.

The question in this case is whether the HHS contraceptive-coverage mandate and its so-called "accommodation" violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1993, by forcing religious nonprofits to act in violation of their sincerely held religious beliefs, when the government has not proven that this compulsion is the least restrictive means of advancing any compelling interest.

Under the mandate, non-profit employers still remain the legal gateway for such objectionable services as potentially abortion-causing drugs for their employees through the employer's health insurance company. These religious non-profits do not want to be forced to be complicit by providing contraceptives, sterilization, and drugs and devices that can kill an embryo.

Cathy Ruse, FRC's Senior Legal Fellow, will also be speaking at a press conference in front of the Supreme Court immediately after the oral arguments with her reaction to the case.

WHO:

Cathy Ruse, FRC's Senior Legal Fellow

Arina Grossu, Director of FRC's Center for Human Dignity

Travis Weber, Director of FRC's Center for Religious Liberty

Meg McDonnell, Executive Director of Women Speak for Themselves

Alveda King and Janet Morana, Directors at Priests for Life

Little Sisters of the Poor and others

WHAT: Let Them Serve Rally in support of the Little Sisters of the Poor

WHEN: Tomorrow March 23^rd at 10 AM Eastern Time

WHERE: In front of the US Supreme Court, 1 First St NE, Washington, DC 20543