Letter
Letter to the Council of the District of Columbia Against the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2014
Letter to the Council of the District of Columbia Against the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act, July 2, 2014
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops strongly opposes the proposed "Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2014." The bill would prohibit employers from taking employment actions based on an individual's "reproductive health decision making" (e.g., use of contraception, abortion, or related services), which the bishops argue threatens religious freedom and organizational autonomy.
Organizations should have the right to hire and retain employees who support their mission and values, especially when those values are religious or moral. Requiring employers to accept employees whose actions contradict their mission is framed as a violation of freedom of association and religious liberty. The bill is described as taking sides in deeply contested moral issues (e.g., abortion, contraception), forcing organizations to accommodate opposing views.
The bishops argue the bill could violate the "Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA)" by imposing substantial burdens on religious exercise. Supreme Court precedent supports a religious organization's right to control its internal governance, including staffing decisions aligned with its beliefs. Passing the bill would undermine diversity of viewpoints, especially in a city with many advocacy and service organizations. Rejecting the bill would help maintain a pluralistic environment where organizations can operate according to their principles.