Birth Control Battle: U.S. Supreme Court Weighs Limits Of ‘Religious Freedom’

People of faith who live in the United States sometimes have to make compromises between their personal beliefs and following the law. As far as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy is concerned, there is no obvious way to distinguish when violating one’s faith is acceptable and when it isn’t.

Americans United Law Clerk Explains Why Zubik Is Vital For Students

In an interview with NPR about the Zubik v. Burwell Supreme Court case, Georgetown University student and Americans United law clerk Allison Tanner explained why it was necessary for students of religiously affiliated universities to receive contraception coverage from their schools.

Zubik v. Burwell, Part 6: The Accommodation is the Least-Restrictive Option

Zubik v. Burwell, Part 6: The Accommodation is the Least-Restrictive Option

In his sixth and final post of Zubik v. Burwell, Senior Litigation Counsel Greg Lipper outlines why the current contraception insurance accommodation is the least-restrictive option for providing women coverage.

Zubik v. Burwell, Part 5: These Exceptions are Unexceptional

In his fifth post on Zubik v. Burwell, Senior Litigation Counsel Greg Lipper debunks the ACA challengers' argument that exceptions to the law undermine the importance of contraception. 

MPAA Is "Confident" That Georgia's Governor Will Not Sign Discriminatory Bill

Georgia's HB 757, a bill that sanctions discrimination based on religion, is getting poor reviews in Hollywood. Yesterday, entertainment industry paper Variety reported that a Motion Picture Association of America official is very sure that Governor Nathan Deal will not sign the bill into law. Georgia's film and television industry is booming, leading activists to call upon production companies to use their heft to protest HB 757.

Zubik v. Burwell, Part 4: The Compelling Interest in Contraceptive Coverage

Senior Litigation Counsel Greg Lipper outlines the compelling interest in contraception coverage in the fourth part of his series on Zubik v. Burwell.

Last Week In Review: March 14–19

Last week, we saw bill movement in Georgia, Colorado, Alabama, and Tennessee. Find out more about these movements and what to expect this week in Last Week in Review.

 

Zubik v. Burwell, Part 3: Birth Control Is Not Abortion

In the third part of his blog series on Zubik v. Burwell, Senior Litigation Counsel Greg Lipper debunks the myth of “abortifacients" and other erroneous labeling of standard birth control methods.

Zubik v. Burwell, Part 2: The Religious Objectors Who Cried Wolf

In the second part of his Zubik v. Burwell contraception insurance series, Senior Litigation Counsel Greg Lipper analyzes the insincerity of religiously affiliated organizations' claims.

Zubik v. Burwell, Part 1: Why Paperwork Does Not Burden Religious Exercise

Senior Litigation Counsel Greg Lipper argues that signing a form to allow women to receive contraception insurance does not constitute a burden to religious exercise. 

Georgia's General Assembly May Have Surprise Vote On "Religious Liberty" Bill On Wednesday

According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia's HB 757 will be voted on today by the General Assembly. This news comes as a surprise, as business leaders and LGBT advocates have roundly denounced this "religious liberty" bill as legalized discrimination. 

Atlanta City Council Unanimously Approves Resolution To Oppose "Religious Freedom" Bills

The Atlanta City Council has unanimously approved a resolution to stating its opposition to Georgia's two "religious freedom" bills, HB 129 and HB 757. The council is one of over 400 political entities and companies who oppose these bills in their current forms.

Missouri Lawmakers Continue To Filibuster Discriminatory FADA Bill

While you were sleeping, something amazing happened.  And it is still going on.

The seven Democrats in the Missouri Senate have been on the floor for 17 hours now filibustering SJR 39, a constitutional amendment that would add discrimination to the Missouri Constitution. And there is no sign that they are stopping anytime soon. You can listen here.

Business Communities, LGBT Groups Are Fighting Discriminatory Bills Nationwide

With discriminatory bills moving in legislatures nationwide, business communities, politicians, and LGBT activists nationwide are hitting back hard.

Twitter Joins Companies In Opposing Georgia FADA

It's hard to fit our joy over this into 140 characters!

Georgia's House Speaker Has His Say On FADA Bill

After Governor Nathan Deal's statement yesterday about coming to a compromise over Georgia's HB 757 FADA bill that would both protect religious freedom and prevent discrimination, House Speaker David Ralston had his say.

Celebrities, Businesses, News Outlets, and Others Create Waves in Opposition to Georgia's FADA

How much backlash do Georgia legislators need before they stop pushing legislation that would allow discrimination against LGBT Georgians in the name of religion? You’d think with 400 plus companies and influential CEO’s opposing HB 757 and similar bills they’d be done with it already.

Conservative Group Denounces Georgia's FADA Bill

An Atlanta-based conservative group joins the city's Chamber of Commerce in opposing Georgia's HB 757, claiming that it would limit growth for both Atlanta and the Peach State.

Last Week In Review: February 22–26

As bills continue to pick up speed through their respective legislatures, we've decided to add a new feature to our legislative coverage that helps our readers keep track of the previous week's bill movement.