By Cong. Franciso Canseco
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. How often do you stop and think about your constitutional right to practice the religion or faith of your choice without interference from the government? If youre like many Americans you probably havent thought about it that much and maybe have even taken it for granted.
After all the freedom of religion is one of the most fundamental rights we enjoy as Americans and a principle upon which our nation was founded.
Unfortunately the freedom of religion is a right that Americans cant take for granted anymore.
For some time efforts have been made to undermine an individuals right to practice their faith or religion without governmental interference and instead protect the governments power from being restrained by accommodating Americans religious beliefs. As a practicing and devout Catholic preserving the constitutional right of Americans to freely practice their faith or religion is a top priority.
However protecting this right is becoming more difficult by the day.
As many Americans are aware one of the most significant assaults on the religious freedom of Americans recently came from the current administration. In January the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a rule using authority granted in President Obamas health care law that would require all health insurance plans to provide coverage of contraceptive services.
This rule is nothing more than a power grab by the federal government and an attempt to subvert the constitutional rights of all Americans to the federal government. This mandate would force anyone providing health insurance whether its a Catholic hospital or simply a pro-life small business owner to pay for coverage of services that directly violate their religious beliefs. Even though the Administration has claimed to have altered the rule to address the concerns of Americans of faith the fix is simply accounting gimmickry.
Interested groups of Americans that opposed this rule from the outset like the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops remain opposed to this rule.
This is not just a Catholic issue but an issue for all Americans of faith. If allowed to stand the HHS rule will result in the erosion of Americans religious freedom and a strengthening of the federal governments ability to force Americans to compromise their beliefs notwithstanding constitutional protections.
It would represent a victory for the power of the federal government over the individual rights of Americans. Since this rule was unveiled Ive been fighting in the House of
Representatives to overturn it and protect the religious freedom of Americans guaranteed by our Constitution.
Religious freedom is an inalienable right and one that must be defended from partisan attacks. It is vital that people of faith stand up and make clear that religious freedom is a constitutional right that makes our country unique and special and that no public official or parties can take that right away.
A former small business owner and lifelong Texan Congressman Canseco proudly represents the 23rd District of Texas. You may contact Congressman Canseco at: http://canseco.house.gov
