GOP Senators Snowe, Collins Support Obama's Birth Control Shift
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/gop-senators-snowe-collins-support-obamas-birth-control
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The Portland Press Herald's Jonathan Riskind reports:
But Obamas revised rule appears to have won over Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine. Both had called for changes to the original rule despite their support in the past for a bill with a similar objective.
It appears that changes have been made that provide womens health services without compelling Catholic organizations in particular to violate the beliefs and tenets of their faith, Snowe said in a statement. According to the Catholic Health Association, the administration responded to the issues [they] identified that needed to be fixed, which is what I urged the president to do in addressing this situation.
While I will carefully review the details of the presidents revised proposal, it appears to be a step in the right direction, Collins said in a statement. The administrations original plan was deeply flawed and clearly would have posed a threat to religious freedom. It presented the Catholic Church with its wide-ranging social, educational, and health care services, and many other faith-based organizations, with an impossible choice between violating their religious beliefs or violating federal regulations. The administration has finally listened to the concerns raised by many and appears to be seeking to avoid the threat to religious liberties posed by its original plan."
Collins, Snowe call revised Obama birth control rule a good move
http://www.pressherald.com/blogs/maine_washington_politics/139207289.html