Alabama Taxpayers Now On The Hook For Legal Fees After Planned Parenthood Defunding Attempt

Linda Greenhouse Wins Headline of the Year

From AU's Senior Litigation Counsel Greg Lipper's Thanksgiving Day guest post on Bill of Health.

“Sex After 50 at the Supreme Court” is the title of today’s Turkey Day column by the peerless Linda Greenhouse. She takes a saucy look at upcoming Supreme Court cases on contraception and abortion and the role of religion in motivating restrictions on reproductive rights and health.

Terror At Planned Parenthood: Facing The Consequences Of The Far Right’s Lies

In the wake of Friday’s horrific shootings at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, we’re hearing calls to deescalate the rhetoric around the issue of abortion.

ICYMI – Senator Hatch Used Floor Time to Promote Harmful Religious Refusals

Last week, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) concluded his sixth speech in a series of floor speeches devoted to the topic of religious liberty. Senator Hatch’s speeches have covered everything from the history of religious freedom to threats to religious liberty abroad. Or at least, he has covered everything from his point of view of what religious liberty means.

Congress Presses Attorney General on OLC Memo

Earlier today, the House Committee on the Judiciary held an oversight hearing, questioning U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch about the activities of the Department of Justice. During the hearing, Lynch occupied the hot seat while members of the committee peppered her with questions on everything from homeland security to voting rights.

Priests for Life Ask For Assistance In Their ACA Contraception Mandate Case From A Higher Authority

Earlier this week, Priests for Life, one of the plaintiffs challenging the ACA's contraception mandate in front of the Supreme Court, released a novena asking God to intercede on their behalf. 

Americans United Submits ACA Comments To Department of Health and Human Services

Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act prohibits sex discrimination in health programs and activities.  The Department of Health and Human Services is writing regulations to implement this non-discriminate provision and asked for public comment on whether the prohibition on sex discrimination should include a religious exemption.  We said absolutely not.

Americans United Attorney Comments on New Supreme Court Birth Control Case

The Supreme Court granted Priests For Life v. Department of Health & Human Services, East Texas Baptist University v. Burwell, Little Sisters of the Poor v. Burwell, and Geneva Collegw v. Burwell cases this afternoon. Our senior litigation counsel Gregory M. Lipper issued the following statement:

Philadelphia Adopts Religious Exemption Policy For Publicly Funded Clinic Doctors

The City of Brotherly Love has adopted a new religious exemption policy that could seriously affect the health of patients using publicly funded clinics.

Time To Familiarize Yourself With The Religious Non-Profit Contraception Cases Currently Before SCOTUS

As we wait for the Supreme Court's decision on whether to accept Little Sisters of the Poor v. Burwell or one of the other religious non-profits protesting the contraception insurance accommodations provided to them by the ACA, it's worth taking a little time to thoroughly understand the religious non-profit argument and the government's rebuttal. 

Sex And Common Sense: Texas Public School Reconsiders ‘Chastity’ Speaker

A self-appointed expert on sex and relationships won’t speak at an El Paso, Texas, high school – for now.

ACA Contraception Coverage Cases Reach Supreme Court

We expect that these cases will take center stage in the upcoming months.

Florida Representative Files Wide-Spread Anti-LGBT Bill

Have you heard of Florida Man? Well, this time Florida Man is a Venice lawmaker and he filed a controversial anti-LGBT religious freedom bill into the Florida legislature. 

New Progressive Religious Liberty Report Published

The Center for American Progress has released a 29-page report entitled "Restoring the Balance: A Progressive Vision of Religious Liberty Preserves the Rights and Freedoms of All Americans."

Lawsuit Filed Against Michigan Catholic Healthcare System

Our friends at the ACLU have filed a lawsuit against a Catholic healthcare system which has prioritized religion over the reproductive healthcare of their female patients.

Change Is Not Coming: Pope Francis’ Meeting With Kim Davis Signals That ‘Culture Wars’ Are Still Raging

Pope Francis secretly met with Kim Davis last Thursday in Washington D.C., according to The New York Times.