McConnell: Obama administration's contraceptive decision 'abhorrent'

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called the Obama administration's refusal to exempt religious-affiliated employers from a rule forcing them to provide health care plans that include that coverage for contraception "abhorrent" and said Republicans in Congress are poised to repeal the decision.

"Make no mistake, the Obama' administration's decision to force religious hospitals, charities and schools to comply with a mandate that violates their religions views is abhorrent to the foundational principles of our nation," said McConnell, making an unusual afternoon appearance on the Senate floor on Tuesday. "No one in the United States should ever be compelled by the government to choose between violating their religions beliefs and being penalized for refusing, yet that is precisely what this mandate would do.

"This ruling should send a chill up the spine of people of all faiths and even those with no faith at all," continued the minority leader. "If the state is allowed to violate the religious rights of one religion it can violate those of others." 

The Department of Health and Human Services, under the control of the Obama administration, handed down the decision on Friday sending shockwaves through religious circles that oppose the use of contraceptives. The rule exempts actually places of worship from providing such health care plans but does not make an exceptions for organizations like hospitals that are affiliated with religious institutions. 

McConnell echoed some of his junior GOP senators on Tuesday when he said that Republicans in Congress would do everything within their power to force President Obama from implementing the rule which he said violates the First Amendment of the Constitution.

“This is a huge mistake that I hope the administration is currently reconsidering," concluded McConnell.  "If they don’t, Congress will act."