Discrimination and anti-trafficking

I would like to draw attention to another issue that revolves around religious freedom and the movement of this great Nation.

This article, found in the Washington Post, discusses a serious debate that has begun over the decision of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award three lesser-ranked organizations grant monies that had previously been awarded to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) (specifically to the Migration and Refugee Services (known as MRS) Anti - Trafficking Services Program). The controversy comes from the fact that as a Catholic organization, MRS refuses to refer victims for contraception or abortion, as those go against the Church's moral teaching. The question presented is: does this border on religious persecution when this organization has been higher ranked, consistently, for since 2006? That's six years of successful service to victims of human trafficking and their families, and the funding that had assisted in this positive and necessary work has now been refused.

A number of congressmen have raised issue with this decision, and are now writing letters calling for legal action against HHS. Rep. Darrell Issa (Calif.), Rep. Christopher H. Smith (N.J.), Sens. Marco Rubio (Fla.), Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Kelly Ayotte (N.H.) and 24 other senators signed a letter to Kathleen Sebelius, HHS Secretary. The letter stated:
"A fundamentally religious organization, it is well known that the USCCB - in lawful exercise of its conscience rights - foes not provide abortion referrals. To ensure your department respected USCCB's conscience rights and did not violate current law in awarding this grant, we request specific information related to USCCB's grant denial, a full explanation of your department's decision, and whether the USCCB's position regarding abortion referrals was a factor in your department's decision making. As you know, your department is expected to award federal contracts to the most qualified applicants who demonstrate the greatest capability to administer a program's goals."

I applaud those who are making a stand for justice in this case. These congressmen and women are pointing to what is clearly wrong here: choosing organizations with lesser ranking and poorer performance over an organization with a higher ranking and better performance, because the organization will simultaneously maintain its religious liberty and not recommend actions to which it conscientiously objects. This can only hurt the men, women and children affected by human trafficking and their families.