DELAURO STATEMENT ON BLUNT AMENDMENT

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Ranking Member on the Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement today in response to the Senate vote on the Blunt Amendment.

The amendment, which was defeated by a vote of 51-48, would have allowed employers and health insurance companies to deny any health care coverage, such as contraceptives, based on the religious or moral objections of the corporation or business owner. The broad reach of the amendment would have allowed an employer to deny coverage for counseling services and screenings for sexually transmitted infections or an even wider range of health care because of vaguely defined "moral convictions."

"This extreme amendment was not about contraception—it was about women's health, and denying women access to the health care they need. It is the latest battle in the Republican war on women's health. We have seen time and time again proposals that would turn back the clock on women's health, taking us back to a day when family planning was not an opportunity for every woman. It is disappointing to me that the Republican Party clearly does not trust women enough to allow them to make their own decisions concerning their health. I am very pleased that this amendment failed, and will fight against a similar proposal that will be debated in the House in coming weeks. Health care decisions should be left to a woman and her health care provider."