REACTION: Mississippi leaders, groups respond to Hobby Lobby ruling
Senator Thad Cochran (R-Mississippi): “I am pleased that this Supreme Court decision places some restraint on the reach of the federal government. I supported the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to ensure that core religious beliefs are not trampled by an activist government. This decision, I believe, strengthens the argument that Obamacare, which I opposed from the start, must be repealed and replaced with a law that does not infringe on individual and religious freedoms.”
Senator Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi): “Americans should not be forced to decide between their faith and their health insurance. Today’s decision is a victory for the First Amendment and the religious freedom it guarantees to every American.”
Congressman Steven Palazzo, (MS-4th District): “Today’s ruling delivers another devastating blow to ObamaCare and protects the freedom of Americans to live and work based on their religious beliefs,” Palazzo stated. “I’m encouraged that the Supreme Court sided with us – and the majority of Americans who oppose ObamaCare’s HHS mandate – in ruling in favor of Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood. You don’t give up your constitutionally-guaranteed religious freedoms just because you own a business.”
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant: “I am very pleased the Supreme Court moved to uphold religious freedom today in its opinion in the Hobby Lobby case. Its decision confirms my position that our state did the right thing in enacting a state-level Religious Freedom Restoration Act and protecting religious liberty for Mississippians.
The federal RFRA requires the government to prove that substantially burdening religious freedom is necessary to achieve a truly compelling government interest. The Obama Administration had other options for implementing its policy, yet it chose to try and force individuals to violate their strongly held religious beliefs. This proves how out of line and self-important this administration is and how out of touch this president is with the basic principles of freedom on which this nation was founded. Thankfully, cooler heads have prevailed, and the Court ruled on the side of freedom and religious liberty.
WLOX
6/30/14
Magnolia Tribune
