Americans United for Separation of Church and State

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Liz Hayes
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U.S. Supreme Court Should Affirm That Trump Birth Control Rules Violate Religious Freedom And Are Unconstitutional

“The Supreme Court should affirm that it is unconstitutional for the Trump administration to misuse religious freedom to block employees’ and students’ access to birth control. Federal courts in Pennsylvania, California and just yesterday in our case in Indiana have ruled against this discriminatory policy," said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United. "As a reminder, the Affordable Care Act guarantees employees and students the right to contraceptive coverage. The religious beliefs of their bosses and university officials cannot deny them this right."

Trump Uses Religious Freedom Day to Violate Religious Freedom For Public Schoolchildren And Millions Of Vulnerable People

“President Trump isn’t trying to protect religious freedom; he’s pandering to religious extremists who want to inject a narrow set of religious beliefs into our public schools and taxpayer-funded services,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United. "On Religious Freedom Day of all days, we must make clear that religious freedom demands that everyone be free to practice their faith, or no faith at all, but only so long as they don’t harm others. Religious freedom is not a license to grant unparalleled religious privilege.”

Civil Rights Groups: The “Fairness for All” Act Is An Affront To Existing Civil Rights Protections, Treats LGBTQ People And Women As Second Class

The “Fairness for All” Act is anything but fair, and it certainly does not serve all of us. It is an affront to existing civil rights protections that protect people on the basis of race, sex and religion; creates new, substandard protections for LGBTQ people with massive loopholes and carve-outs; and upends critical federal programs that serve children in need. 
Woman lying in a hospital bed

Judge Throws Out Trump’s Denial Of Care Rule In Case Brought By Americans United And Allies

"One after another, three judges across the country have now made it crystal clear that it was unlawful for the Trump administration to misuse religious freedom to justify harming patients," said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United. "These decisions, coupled with Congress’ introduction of the Put Patients First Act, should send an emphatic message to President Trump that no patient should ever be discriminated against or denied health care based on who they are, who they love or what they believe.”

Americans United, Joined by 17 Religious Freedom and Civil Rights Groups, Urges U.S. Supreme Court to Protect Religious Freedom and Public Education in Montana

“The Montana Supreme Court protected America’s guarantee of religious freedom when it struck down private school vouchers last year. Considering 94 percent of taxpayer-funded vouchers in the state financed religious schools, the court’s decision ensures residents can’t be forced to fund religious education,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United.
Young patient checked by doctor

Americans United Applauds Members of Congress for Introducing ‘Put Patients First Act’

“Even as courts block President Trump’s dangerous Denial of Care Rule, it’s clear the administration will continue to push this rule and other policies that misuse religious freedom to license discrimination and harm to others. It's more important than ever that Congress enact extra safeguards to protect people’s health and fundamental rights," said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United.

Americans United Hails Second Federal Court Blocking Trump Administration’s Dangerous Denial Of Care Rule

“The Trump administration is now 0 for 2 in trying to defend its harmful Denial of Care Rule that puts patients’ lives at risk in the name of ‘religious freedom.’ We hope the federal judges in our cases in California and Maryland will echo the judges in New York and now Washington – that this rule is unlawful, unconstitutional and cannot take effect. Patients should never be denied care based on who they are, who they love or what they believe.”

Americans United Applauds Court Ruling Striking Down Trump Administration’s Harmful Denial of Care Rule

"We’re thankful Judge Engelmayer blocked President Trump’s dangerous Denial of Care Rule from going into effect. We urge the federal judges reviewing our cases in California and Maryland, as well as the judge in the Washington case, to reach a conclusion as swiftly as possible and send a clear message to the Trump administration that this rule poses an imminent threat to public health,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United.
Congress needs to hear from you!

Urge your legislators to co-sponsor the Do No Harm Act today.

The Do No Harm Act will help ensure that our laws are a shield to protect religious freedom and not used as a sword to harm others by undermining civil rights laws and denying access to health care.

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