FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 1, 2013CONTACT: J.P. Duffy or Darin Miller, (866) FRC-NEWS or (866)-372-6397

Urges Congress to Defund Obamacare, Restore Religious Liberty

WASHINGTON, D.C.- On Capitol Hill today, a coalition of organizations including the Family Research Council (FRC) held a news conference calling on Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) to add conscience protections to must-pass legislation and to defund Obamacare. In addition, a large coalition sent a letter to House leadership calling for religious freedom protections.

At the news conference Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said:

"Obamacare is not the typical political virus that spreads fromWashington,D.C.infecting the body politic. This is a rare strain of 'flesh-eating bacteria' that if not stopped and stopped now threatens the very life of our Republic.

"We need to defund Obamacare but also need to add conscience protections. Obamacare will subsidize abortion and lead to health care rationing, and defunding would stop that. But defunding alone will not stop legal mandates like theHHSmandate against religious businesses, charities and non-profits and religious universities, so adding conscience protections is essential as well. Religious employers should not be discriminated against because they oppose abortifacients or contraceptives.

"We are standing here today as Americans, fiscal and social conservatives saying we agree with the Republican leadership of Congress that the greatest threat to our faith, our families and our freedoms is Obamacare and so we are saying it must be stopped. Congress must act, not with more window dressing votes, but with a vote that would cut off Obamacare funding and protect religious freedom," Perkins concluded.

-30-