Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision protecting the Little Sisters of the Poor from a punitive government mandate. The Obamacare provision forced the Little Sisters to choose between their faith and ruinous financial penalties should the Little Sister’s health plan not include contraceptives and abortifacients. Hartzler, along with Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma, led an amicus brief last year in support of the Catholic nuns in Little Sisters of the Poor Saints Peter and Paul Home v. Pennsylvania.

“Needless litigation has hampered the Little Sisters deep, religious calling to nurture and care for the elderly and infirmed for nearly a decade. Today’s decision is a resounding victory for people of faith across our country, reaffirming that the government cannot force entities to act contrary to their faith. Time and again the Little Sisters have been put on trial, and every time the High Court has upheld the rights of the Little Sisters to continue their mission absent government interference,” Hartzler said.

“It is absurd that the government continues to harass and threaten these faithful nuns with legal action and millions of dollars in fines. It is past time to accept the fact the government has a duty to respect the religious choices of its citizens and uphold our sacred constitutional rights. It is time to let the Little Sisters continue their noble service to our elderly poor in peace,” Hartzler concluded.

For further information, contact Danny Jativa in the Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-2876 or at danny.jativa@mail.house.gov.

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