Planned Parenthood, ACLU challenge federal rule allowing religious health providers to refuse abortions News
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Planned Parenthood, ACLU challenge federal rule allowing religious health providers to refuse abortions

Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed separate lawsuits against the Department of Health and Human Services Tuesday to challenge their recent Final Conscience Rule that protects health workers from providing abortions if they have religious objections.

In Planned Parenthood’s complaint, the plaintiffs allege that the Department’s rule is a violation of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause and entangles the government with religion. It is also asserted that the intermingling between the personal practices of the employer and employee which will eventually conform business practices to reflect the religious beliefs of the company. In the ACLU’s complaint, the plaintiffs similarly argue that everyone has a right to their personal beliefs, but should not have the right to use those beliefs to limit the freedoms of another individual.

Both organizations outline the detrimental and discriminatory impact the new rule would have on women by allowing health providers to make health decisions for patients based on their personal beliefs.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Kellogg-Briand Pact signed renouncing war

On August 27, 1928, representatives of thirty-two nations gathered in Paris signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact, renouncing war as an instrument of national policy and agreeing to the peaceful settlement of disputes between them. Frank B. Kellogg, the US Secretary of State who proposed the treaty, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in 1929. The treaty's exceptions and qualifications, however, and the absence of any means of enforcement, ultimately guaranteed its failure. Review the text of the Kellogg-Briand pact.