S. 1467, S. 165, S.906, and S. 877

James W. Brown, Chief of Staff
Office of U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr.
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Mr. Brown,

I appreciate your speaking with me yesterday afternoon, after Senator Casey brought an end to his time with constituents who had traveled to Washington, DC for the March for Life. I am deeply troubled by Senator Casey's failure, thus far, to show support for four particular pieces of legislation, championed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB):

• "The Catholic bishops of the United States called 'literally unconscionable' a decision by the Obama Administration to continue to demand that sterilization, abortifacients and contraception be included in virtually all health plans....The HHS rule requires that sterilization and contraception – including controversial abortifacients – be included among 'preventive services' coverage in almost every healthcare plan available to Americans....At issue, the U.S. bishops and other religious leaders insist, is the survival of a cornerstone constitutionally protected freedom that ensures respect for the conscience of Catholics and all other Americans" (USCCB, 1/20/2012).
  
  As per the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, "On Friday, the Obama Administration announced that it would not honor the request of millions of Americans by allowing for a conscience exemption in its requirement that all employers pay for 'health care' that includes sterilization, contraception and abortion-causing drugs....Voice your disappointment with the HHS ruling and ask your legislators to support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (HR1170/S 1467)"
  
  Yesterday, Senator Casey seemed to bemoan the Obama Adminstration's callous action. Yet, he has NOT come out in support of S 1467! Today's Wall Street Journal reminds us that it was Senator Casey who chaired candidate Obama's "National Catholic Advisory Council." To people of conscience across the United States, I suggest that Senator Casey owes a deep corrective obligation to champion S 1467.

• The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has urged support for the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act: "Passage of ANDA is urgently needed to protect the civil rights of health professionals and other health care entities. This bill reaffirms a basic principle: No health care entity should be forced by government to perform or participate in abortions." Thus far, Senator Casey is NOT a co-sponsor of S. 165.

• The USCCB has urged support for the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. Thus far, Senator Casey is NOT a co-sponsor of S. 906.

• The USCCB has urged support for the Protect Life Act. Thus far, Senator Casey is NOT a co-sponsor of S. 877.

Mr. Brown, please urge Senator Casey to support S. 1467, S. 165, S.906, and S. 877.

Thank you.

Sincerely,